CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Crime (Young People)

Clive Efford: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to contribute to the Government's strategy to reduce crime among young people.

Tessa Jowell: My Department is playing a full part in the Government's drive to tackle street crime, the vast majority of which is committed by young people. My officials are working closely with colleagues at the Youth Justice Board to develop a programme of summer activities in the 10 police areas targeted by the street crime initiative. This will provide at least 48,000 places, for children and young people aged nine to 17 at risk of offending, in quality sports and arts provision. We hope to be able to announce the exact locations of all of the individual schemes shortly.

Crime (Young People)

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research she has commissioned on the role of sports and arts provision for young people in crime prevention.

Tessa Jowell: There is already an increasing body of evidence that engagement in sports and arts activity can have an important role in crime reduction. However, we are keen to build on this. The comprehensive programme of Splash Extra schemes being developed jointly by my Department and the Youth Justice Board in the street crime areas will provide an important opportunity in this respect. We will ensure that the impact of these new schemes on local crime levels is evaluated as fully as possible.

Arts, Sport and Tourism (Regional Input)

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to strengthen the regional input into the development of arts, sport and tourism policies.

Richard Caborn: Steps have already been taken to restructure the Arts Council to provide a more effective structure for delivering national priorities for the arts while enhancing regional input to arts policy. The Performance and Innovation Unit is currently undertaking a review of sports policy in England and is looking at the regional dimension building on the findings of the Quinquennial review of Sport England. While the preliminary findings of a review of tourism have identified the need for the Regional Development Agencies, and in the longer term Elected Regional Assemblies, to have a stronger role in tourism development.

Performing Arts (Rural Areas)

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to support the development of performing arts in rural areas.

Tessa Jowell: The Arts Council's new Regional Councils are working with Local Authorities to develop the infrastructure for the performing arts in rural areas, this is in addition to support through the New Audience Programme and Lottery funding. Rural areas including Norfolk and Cornwall have also been included in Creative Partnerships, a £40 million programme to bring creative professionals, teachers and young people together to work on sustained and innovative projects.

Gambling Review

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress she has made in implementing the recommendations of the gambling review.

Richard Caborn: Two recommendations have already been implemented; and we are on course to implement a further six before the Recess. The majority will, however, need primary legislation. We are now working with interested parties on the preparation of a Bill.

Media Regulation

Clive Soley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent meetings she has had with the Press Complaints Commission to discuss media regulation.

Kim Howells: While my right hon. Friend has not met the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) recently, the Department continues to monitor closely the effectiveness of the newspaper industry's self regulatory system, and my Ministerial colleagues and I have no hesitation in suggesting improvements to the PCC and the industry, as and when appropriate.

National Lottery Funding

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to ensure an equitable distribution of funds raised by the national lottery.

Richard Caborn: The Government would like all parts of the country to experience the positive effects of Lottery funding. Reforms introduced under the National Lottery Act 1998 and targeted programmes introduced by Lottery distributors are designed to tackle inequity. We shall seek public views on what further steps might be taken in a consultation paper to be published shortly.

Sports Facilities

Doug Naysmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures her Department is taking to encourage greater co-operation between schools and community sports clubs, particularly in respect of the provision of facilities.

Tessa Jowell: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, in partnership with the Department for Education and Skills, is keen to promote greater co-operation between schools and community clubs through a number of schemes and programmes that they, along with Sport England and other interested bodies, are running. These include the NOF PE and Sport Programme, where an ability to demonstrate community access to new facilities is one of the criteria that schools have to meet when bidding to LEAs for funding allocated to them by NOF, and the School Sport Co-ordinator Scheme, where Co-ordinators are responsible for—among other things—developing community outreach programmes.

Sport (Young People)

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on Government plans to develop sport for young people of school age.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Department for Education and Skills are working closely with the Prime Minister's Delivery Unit on a comprehensive plan to improve access to, and the quality of, PE, school sport and club links for 5 to 16-year-olds. Key activities associated with the plan will include; the expansion of the specialist sport college network and school sport co-ordinator programme; training for primary and special school PE co-ordinators and secondary school directors of sport; further incentives to encourage extra-curricular activities; and "Step into Sport", a leadership and volunteering programme.

International Sporting Bodies

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what action her Department is taking to increase UK representation on international sporting bodies.

Richard Caborn: Part of UK Sport's responsibilities is to encourage and maintain UK influence within international sports federations. To support this objective they operate an international Representatives Grant Aid Programme. This programme offers financial support and advice to elect British postholders and, in addition, supports governing body delegates attending formal meetings of international sports bodies.

European Capital of Culture

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations she has received on the nomination of Liverpool as European Capital of Culture.

Tessa Jowell: My Department has received a number of representations about the Liverpool bid.

Tourism (World Heritage Sites)

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will meet the English Tourist Council to discuss plans for the promotion of tourism along the south Dorset coast and other world heritage sites.

Kim Howells: I am delighted that the Dorset and east Devon coast was awarded world heritage site status last December. I have no plans to meet the ETC specifically to discuss this issue. South West Tourism actively promotes south Dorset through its website, marketing campaigns and existing publications. The BTA also highlights the south Dorset coast in its Walking Britain brochure, and other BTA promotions.

British Museum

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the director and trustees of the British museum regarding the financial support which she gives to the museum.

Tessa Jowell: My right hon. and noble Friend the Minister for the Arts (Baroness Blackstone) has had several discussions with British Museum trustees and officials on a number of issues including the current financial position at the Museum. Grant-in-Aid to the British Museum has increased each year since 1997–98 and in 2002–03 will amount to £36.5 million. In addition, since April 2001 the Museum has been able to recover VAT relating to its expenditure on free access, worth at least £750,000 per annum. Funding is being further reviewed in the Government's 2002 Spending Review.

Sport (National Lottery Funding)

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met the chief executive of Sport England to discuss lottery funding for sports activities.

Richard Caborn: My right hon. Friend, last met David Moffett, the Chief Executive of Sport England, on 8 May to discuss the restructuring of sport delivery. He also regularly attends the monthly interministerial sport policy meeting, the latest of which was on 16 May. The subjects discussed included Lottery funding for sports facilities.

School Sports

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement about the progress being made in implementing the school sports co-ordinator programme.

Richard Caborn: The Government are well on their way to meeting their target of 1,000 School Sport Co-ordinators by 2004, with 577 currently in place, benefiting 1.26 million pupils. Another 165 Co-ordinators have been designated, making a total of 742 in post by September, and increasing the total number of pupils benefiting to 1.8 million.

Tourism

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she last met the chief executive of the Tourism Alliance to discuss tourism.

Kim Howells: My officials have been in regular discussions with the Tourism Alliance, since its formation in October 2001, on aspects of the agenda for reform of the tourism industry.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State last met with Digby Jones, chair of the Tourism Alliance and Director General of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) on 14 February 2002 formally to discuss tourism matters and in regard to the Tourism Alliance's paper on 'Tourism Spending Priorities', which was later published in April 2002.

Tourism

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her policies are to assist tourism in southern England.

Kim Howells: Through the English Tourism Council and the Southern Tourist Board, the Government have invested in a number of programmes to promote tourism in the area. The Southern Tourist Board is receiving £554,000 of Government support this year and £10,000 from the English Tourism Council has supported a regeneration at Sandown Bay.

BBC Online Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will publish the terms of the agreement reached with the BBC on the provision of BBC Online services.

Kim Howells: I am arranging for copies of the BBC Online service approval documents to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures are (a) in place and (b) under discussion in her Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE Directive.

Kim Howells: The WEE Directive is still in draft and should be finalised this autumn. Work on implementation planning will commence at that time.

Departmental Staff

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people work in the parts of her Department responsible for (a) the Royal Parks Agency, (b) strategy and communications, (c) education, training, arts and sport, (d) museums, galleries, libraries and heritage, (e) creative industries, media and broadcasting, (f) regions, tourism, millennium and international and (g) corporate services; and for each what (i) their civil service grade and (ii) their role is.

Kim Howells: holding answer 10 June 2002
	Set out in the following table are the number of staff by individual responsibility.
	
		
			  SCS A(U) A B HEOD C D 
		
		
			 Strategy and communications 3 1 3 11 1 1 5 
			 Education, training, arts and sport 6 3 12 21 3 26 16 
			 Museums, galleries, libraries and heritage 4 3 12 22 2 27 30 
			 Creative industries, media and broadcasting 4 3 11 15 2 18 16 
			 Regions, tourism, millennium and international 4 1 19 18 1 14 10 
			 Corporate services 4 5 9 31 2 14 18 
		
	
	The roles of these grades vary between directorate but the overall description of the roles are as follows:
	Senior Civil Servants—head Divisions and Directorates across the Department.
	Grade A/AU—they are the first level of senior management and are accountable for delivering specific parts of the departmental plan.
	Grade B/HEOD—carry out a wide range of tasks in support to support the Department's policy and sponsorship objectives.
	Grade C—first management level and will generally be responsible for providing a range of management support to senior officers and colleagues.
	Grade D—carry out a range of work to support the functional areas of DCMS.
	The figures relating to the Royal Parks Agency are as follows:
	
		
			 Grade Total 
		
		
			 Grade I 29 
			 Grade II 29 
			 Grade III 15 
			 Grade IV 9 
			 Inspector 7 
			 Police Constable 132 
			 Police Sergeant 16 
		
	
	The roles of these grades vary but the overall description of the roles with the Royal Parks Agency are as follows:
	Grade IV—senior management within the RPA and are accountable for delivering specific objectives.
	Grade III—carry out a wide range of tasks in support to support RPA objectives.
	Grade II—first management level and will generally be responsible for providing a range of management support to senior officers and colleagues.
	Grade I—carry out a range of work to support the functional areas including finance, procurement wildlife and estates.
	Inspector/Police Constable/Police Sergeant—policing of the royal parks.

Communications Bill

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make it her policy in the forthcoming Communications Bill to place a duty upon (a) the Regulator, (b) Ofcom and (c) the media to promote good race relations in the performance of their functions; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The existing regulatory bodies for communications (the Independent Television Commission, Radio Authority, Radiocommunications Agency, Oftel, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, the BBC and S4C) already have a duty under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, in respect of their public functions, to have regard to the need to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups. It is our intention that Ofcom should similarly be designated.
	The draft Communications Bill, which is currently subject to consultation, also contains provisions placing a duty on Ofcom to take appropriate steps for promoting equality of opportunity in relation to employment in broadcasting services and training and retraining for such employment; and a requirement on Ofcom to include in broadcasting licences appropriate conditions requiring licensees to make arrangements for promoting equality of opportunity, including between persons of different racial groups, in relation to employment with the licence holder.

Concessionary TV Licences

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the rules on concessionary TV licences for elderly people living in sheltered residential accommodation were last reviewed.

Kim Howells: The last comprehensive review of the Accommodation for Residential Care concessionary television licence scheme was carried out in 1999, by the independent review panel on the future funding of the BBC. The panel recommended that the existing scheme be retained. The Government have since introduced free television licences for everyone aged 75 or over, the cost being met from public funds.

Carlton House Terrace

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding is given to organisations to meet the cost of property in Carlton House Terrace.

Kim Howells: Funding for the arts is a matter for the Arts Council of England and its regional offices. In 2002–03 London Arts will provide revenue funding of £1,021,248 to the Institute for Contemporary Arts (ICA) in the Mall which is adjacent to Carlton House Terrace. The ICA is an independent organisation which may use this money for artistic activity as well as other costs such as property.

BBC

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what approval she is required to give before the BBC can (a) apply for and (b) operate a multiplex service licence.

Kim Howells: holding answer 20 June 2002
	Clause 2.4 of the agreement provides that
	"The Corporation may, subject to the prior agreement of the Secretary of State provide multiplex facilities for digital television and sound broadcasting frequencies" but does not require her approval for the BBC to apply for a multiplex service licence.

BBC

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the circumstances in which her approval is required by the BBC.

Kim Howells: holding answer 20 June 2002
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's approval is required under the following articles of the BBC's Charter:
	3(b)—ancillary services
	3(c)—commercial services
	3(c)—commercial services
	3(i)—transmission
	3(u)—joint ventures, partnerships, establishing companies and acquiring shares etc
	3(w)(ii)—borrowing limit
	17(i)—certain borrowings
	18(i)—the appointment of auditors
	24(i)—directions and approvals and under the following clauses of the agreement:
	2.2(d)—local sound programme services
	2.3—the number and geographical coverage of national television and sound programme services
	2.4—multiplex facilities
	10.10—sponsorship and subscription
	14—non assignment.
	The Charter and agreement also provides that the Secretary of State can give directions to the BBC under certain circumstances and that some matters relating to the World Service require the separate approval of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Community Sport Facilities

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to the oral answer of the Minister for Sport, of 13 May 2002, Official Report, column 493, what studies she is making of structural weaknesses, including facilities, in the provision of community sport facilities.

Richard Caborn: My Department has announced our intention to establish an England-wide database of sports facilities. Information on sports facilities in England is currently held by a variety of organisations and a single database will enable more strategic Government investment in those areas and facilities which are most important.
	My Department and Sport England have also been working closely together with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on the revision of Planning Policy Statement 17 for Open Spaces, Sport and Recreation to ensure that we adopt a comprehensive approach to planning for these important facilities.

Analogue Television

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future availability of the analogue television signal.

Kim Howells: The Government are committed to ensuring that terrestrial analogue broadcasting signals are maintained until everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels can receive them in digital form and switching to digital is an affordable option. As a target indicator of affordability, 95 per cent. of consumers should have access to digital receiving equipment.

Regional Theatres

Eric Martlew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the impact which her policies have on theatre in the regions.

Kim Howells: From 1 April the Arts Council is investing an additional £12 million in theatre throughout England as a consequence of its extensive review of the needs of regional theatre. From 2003–04 this will increase to an additional £25 million a year. Funding for the Stanwix Theatre in Carlisle will increase from £6,000 last year to £16,000 this year and 2003–04, an increase of 167 per cent.

Consultants

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money her Department has spent on consultants in each financial year since 1997, giving (a) the project for which the consultant was employed, (b) the dates on which the consultant was employed, (c) the name of the consultant and (d) the tendering process used for hiring the consultant.

Kim Howells: There is no central register of contracts held for procurement exercises undertaken outside of the central procurement team. Approval is required to proceed for any single tender action above £5,000.
	There follows a list of contracts placed by the procurement team in the relevant periods. All followed competitive tender.
	
		
			 (a) Project (b) Dates (c) Consultancy 
		
		
			 1996–97—£109,000   
			 Internal Audit Services October 1997 to August 1998 Deloitte Touche 
			
			 1997–98—£nil   
			
			 1998–99—£324,000   
			 Risk Management Systems November 1998 to January 1999 KPMG 
			 Efficiency Review August-September 1998 Deloitte Touche 
			 Recruitment of Chairman-NOF August 1998 Capita 
			 Recruitment of Chairman-NESTA January 1999 Capita 
			 Recruitment for BBC Appointments March 1999 Capita 
			 Royal Parks Consultancy August 1998 to July 2001 WS Atkins 
			 Royal Parks Consultancy January-March 1999 WS Atkins 
			 Royal Parks Consultancy March 1999 WS Atkins 
			
			 1999–2000—£33,000   
			 Royal Parks Consultancy July 1999 WS Atkins 
			 Royal Parks Consultancy September 1999 WS Atkins 
			
			 2000–01—£106,000   
			 Royal Parks Consultancy July 2000 PWC 
			 Economic Impact—Lottery May 2000 AEA 
			 Royal Armouries Consultancy October 2000 PWC 
			
			 2001–02—£122,000   
			 Risk Management—QUEST May 2001 PWC 
			 Recruitment Advisory Services July 2001 to February 2002 Capita 
			 Capital of Culture advisers February-June 2002 Kingshurst Consulting 
		
	
	Note:
	Includes Royal Parks Agency

Radio Frequencies

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the future of common radio microphones used in television and film production by musicians, and on stage concerning changes to frequencies allocated to them once the switchover to digital television is completed and the sale of frequencies allocated to the broadcast of analogue television is begun; and what meetings she has held to discuss the financial and practical implications of changes in frequency allocated to such equipment.

Stephen Timms: I have been asked to reply.
	Wireless equipment such as radio microphones used by broadcasters, independent production companies and theatres/concert venues shares that part of the radio spectrum used also for analogue and digital television broadcasting. The Government appreciate fully the importance of the radio spectrum in underpinning this activity.
	The recent joint DTI/DCMS consultation process (Digital Television: The Principles for Spectrum Planning) sought views on the basis on which we should plan the use of this spectrum for digital television and other services once the analogue signals can be switched off. The responses will inform decisions about the amount of spectrum that might be dedicated to programme- making use after switchover, and also the future arrangements for the way that the programme-makers will share spectrum within digital TV networks. We will ensure, through careful planning and consultation with programme makers, minimal disruption.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry meets with many organisations to hear and discuss their views. The programme-making community is also closely involved with Ministers and other stakeholders within the Digital Action Plan arrangements.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

All-postal Ballots

Martin Linton: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission if he will ask the Electoral Commission to consider an all-postal ballot in referendums on (a) the euro and (b) the voting system.

Alan Beith: The role of the commission in the conduct of any national or regional referendum is set out in the Political Parties, Referendums and Elections Act 2000. The Act does not give the Commission powers to determine the type of ballot used for a referendum. As part of its contingency planning for the conduct of referendums, the Commission will be considering a range of policy and practice issues and where appropriate may make recommendations to the Government.

Voting Age

Vernon Coaker: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what discussions the Commission has had about reducing the voting age to 16 years.

Alan Beith: The Commission has indicated to the Government that it intends to look, in due course, at the minimum voting age as part of its programme of reviewing electoral law and practice. The Commission's consideration will take account of the final recommendations from the Children and Young People's Unit, whose "Why Vote? Why Not?" project is consulting young people about measures to encourage increased participation in elections. The unit intends to publish a report later this summer.

Local Elections Review

Simon Hughes: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what the timetable is for reviewing the implications of the local elections in 2002.

Alan Beith: There is no statutory obligation for the Commission to report on the operation of local elections, but the Commission will be evaluating the electoral pilot schemes held in 30 local authority areas in May 2002. The Commission will submit its evaluation reports to the Deputy Prime Minister by 2 August, and the reports will be published.

Postal Voting

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what research has been conducted into the impact of extended postal voting experiments on the secrecy of the ballot.

Alan Beith: The Electoral Commission is currently preparing its evaluation of the postal voting pilot schemes which took place in May 2002. The evaluation, which will be published in (early) August, will consider the impact of the pilot schemes on the secrecy of the ballot. The Commission is also undertaking a wider review of the law and practice in relation to absent voting, which includes consideration of secrecy and related issues.

Euro Referendum

Ben Chapman: To ask the right hon. member for Berwick-upon-Tweed, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what discussions he has had about preparations the Electoral Commission is making for a referendum on adoption of the euro.

Alan Beith: In accordance with its statutory obligations, the Electoral Commission has begun to draw up contingency plans for the conduct of national and regional referendums. In February this year, the Speaker's Committee approved plans for the recruitment of a small team of staff and funding for consultancy on IT issues. The Commission's main objectives for this stream of work are set out in their Corporate Plan 2002–03 to 2006–07. Detailed project plans are in the process of being drawn up.

CHURCH COMMISSIONERS

Cathedral Restoration

Michael Fabricant: To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, if the Commissioners plan to meet representatives of the National Heritage Lottery Fund to discuss the funding of cathedral restoration; and if he will make a statement.

Stuart Bell: No. The funding of cathedral repairs is a matter for individual cathedrals and for the body that represents them, the Association of English Cathedrals.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

New Direction in Agriculture

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if her Department will spend the match-funded money raised from the introduction of modulation under the New Direction in Agriculture package before the end of the present spending round.

Margaret Beckett: EC Regulations stipulate that the money raised from modulation has to be spent within three years of being raised. The first receipts were raised in July 2001; between then and the end of April 2002 nearly £28 million has been collected in England, and nearly £9 million has been spent. Modulation funds are used to secure valuable public benefits through agri- environment schemes, in particular the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and the Environmentally Sensitive Areas scheme. Receipts will be used progressively as new agreements under the schemes are signed, and as old agreements come forward for renewal. I am confident that the funds will be spent before the deadline.

Agrimonetary System

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to bring forward new policy measures to address the problems faced by British farmers as a result of the expiry of the agrimonetary system.

Margaret Beckett: We acknowledge the problems facing British agriculture at the moment. We believe that sustainable agriculture can be achieved by encouraging a more market-oriented sector with reduced dependence on production-linked support. This is our aim for the forthcoming mid-term review of the CAP. Also, following publication of the report of the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food, the Government are working with a range of stakeholders to chart a way ahead by developing a strategy for sustainable food and farming in England, by the autumn.

Tree Diseases

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to guard against the risk of sudden oak death in the United Kingdom.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 19 June 2002
	"Phytophthora ramorum"—the causative organism of sudden oak death—is not established in the United Kingdom, but has recently been detected on plants of viburnum and rhododendron in a targeted survey by the Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate. Research is in progress to establish whether the "Phytophthora ramorum" found in the United Kingdom exhibits the same pathogenicity as that causing such serious damage in the USA and whether European tree species are susceptible to either the European or North American isolates. This work is being carried out by the Central Science Laboratory and the Forestry Commission Research Agency.
	Possible Community-wide measures are being considered and there has already been an exchange of information and some additional survey work by member states. In the meantime, on the basis of a pest risk assessment, precautionary measures have been introduced to prevent susceptible material being imported into the United Kingdom from affected areas of the USA and to allow plant health inspectors to track commercial movements of host plants of any origin. Current controls on imported oak wood from the USA are also being extended to include wood derived from all host trees originating in affected areas. Further information is available on the Forestry Commission and DEFRA websites at http://forestry.gov.uk/planthealth and http:// defraweb/planth/ph.htm

Countryside

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department is taking to implement the Government's commitment in the Rural White Paper to protect the countryside for its own sake.

Alun Michael: The Government set out measures for protecting the countryside in chapters 9 and 10 of the Rural White Paper "Our Countryside: the future—A fair deal for rural England". In December 2002, I reported our progress on implementing the Rural White Paper in "England's Rural Future". My answer to my hon. Friend the Member for South Derbyshire (Mr. Todd) of 12 December 2001, Official Report, column 920W, announced publication of this document.
	An explanation of how all the commitments in the Rural White Paper are being taken forward is set out in the Rural White Paper Implementation Plan which is on the Department's website at: http://defraweb/wildlife/ wildlife-countryside/index.htm. This plan will be amended from time to time to ensure it is up to date.

Beef Special Premium Scheme

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what costs have been incurred by the Rural Payments Agency as a result of the extra information required of farmers in Section 1, No. 5, of the Beef Special Premium Scheme 2002.

Elliot Morley: When a Beef Special Premium Form is received at the Rural Payments Agency, the contents on the form are entered on to the RPA computer system by staff keying in the information shown. When Section 1 question 5 consists simply of one line of text, the time taken may be measured in seconds. Where more information is received, clearly, the time taken will be longer. However, the main cost to the RPA arises from cases where Section 1.5 is not completed appropriately, that is, information given is not clear, or is evidently incomplete. It is the processing of the cases which led the RPA to re-examine the wording of Section 1.5. It is not possible to calculate accurately the cost of dealing with these.

Beef Special Premium Scheme

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers have fully completed Section 1, No. 5, on the Beef Special Premium Scheme 2002 claim form; and how many have not complied and are stating only the holding address.

Elliot Morley: All Beef Special Premium Scheme 2002 claim forms where the only anomaly concerns the completion of Section 1, question 5 are being accepted and lodged with the Rural Payments Agency.
	To date, the Rural Payments Agency has received just under 39,000 Beef Special Premium Scheme 2002 claims. It estimates that the current proportion of the forms having either no, or incomplete, information entered at Section 1, question 5 is 35 per cent. The agency will seek the additional information from producers where required.

Beef Special Premium Scheme

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the need for the changes that the Rural Payments Agency have made to Section 1, No. 5 of the Beef Special Premium Scheme 2002.

Elliot Morley: Article 10 of Commission Regulation (EC) No.2419/2001, which came into effect on 1 January 2002, requires that a livestock aid application shall contain where applicable, an undertaking by the farmer to keep claimed animals on his holding during the retention period and information on the location or locations where the animals will be held including the period or periods concerned. This requirement has not changed from the relevant previous regulation.
	For operational reasons, the level of detail and the method of collecting it was changed for scheme year 2002. Following representations from industry representatives the Rural Payments Agency is currently reviewing Section 1, No. 5 of the Beef Special Premium Scheme 2002 form.

Countryside Stewardship Schemes

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to offer continuous advice to farmers for improvements to their countryside stewardship schemes.

Elliot Morley: Staff from DEFRA's Rural Development Service operate a programme of visits to farmers with land under Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreement to advise them on technical aspects of management. However, provision of this advice is resource intensive and any decision to increase these advisory visits would need to balance the increase in resource costs against any increased environmental value for money which might result.
	Advice on preparing new or upgraded applications to the scheme is available from various organisations including the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, local wildlife trusts, and National Park authorities in the relevant areas.
	All aspects of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme are currently under review.

Countryside Stewardship Schemes

Diana Organ: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when she will review the Countryside Stewardship Scheme;
	(2)  what plans she has to change the 10 year timeframe of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Elliot Morley: Countryside Stewardship is currently being reviewed as part of a wider review of English agri-environment schemes. An initial public consultation exercise, inviting views on a number of strategic questions, closed on 27 May 2002. 119 responses have been received and are now being analysed. The results from this consultation exercise will be used to help develop a revised framework for English agri-environment schemes, working closely with stakeholders. Any changes to the schemes will need to be submitted to the European Commission as a proposed modification to the England Rural Development Programme.
	All aspects of the current Countryside Stewardship Scheme are under consideration in this review, including the length of agreements.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Solicitor-General 
	(1)  what steps have been taken by each CPS authority to progress the Glidewell recommendations for reorganising its work into functional units collocated with police units; and where and when this collocation has been achieved;
	(2)  if she will make a statement on variations in the pace of progress between CPS areas noted by HMCPSI.

Harriet Harman: It has been assumed that the question regarding the pace of progress refers to the establishment of criminal justice units and trial units.
	All chief crown prosecutors and chief constables have submitted joint plans detailing their strategy to implement the Glidewell recommendations. These plans were reviewed by a joint CPS/police working group to ensure that they followed the agreed model for joint administration. The model aims to reduce duplication and delay; focus freed up resources towards the more serious casework; and improve the service to victims and witnesses. CPS areas and their police partners regularly review their plans, actively seeking opportunities to maximise use of the combined police/CPS buildings and provide regular updates to the centre as and when their plans have progressed.
	All CPS areas not yet collocated have reorganised their front line operations into discrete units to deal separately with Crown court and magistrates court work, in order to deliver at least some of the benefits envisaged by Glidewell.
	As at 31 March 2002, there were 42 collocated criminal justice units established in 20 areas and 54 trial units in 32 areas. The schedule shows the location and date of establishment of these units.
	The pace with which areas have progressed the Glidewell recommendations has largely been influenced by the availability of either suitable CPS or police buildings.
	
		Criminal justice units
		
			 Area/location Date established 
		
		
			  Avon and Somerset 
			 Bristol June 2000 
			 Taunton June 2000 
			 Bedfordshire — 
			  Cambridgeshire 
			 Huntingdon January 2002 
			 Parkside December 2001 
			 Thorpe Wood January 2002 
			  Cheshire 
			 Crewe March 2001 
			  Cleveland 
			 Middlesbrough October 2000 
			 Hartlepool February 2002 
			 Cumbria — 
			 Derbyshire — 
			 Devon and Cornwall — 
			 Dorset — 
			 Durham — 
			 Dyfed Powys — 
			 Essex  
			 Colchester September 2000 
			 Harlow December 2000 
			 Southend November 2000 
			 Lalndon March 2001 
			 Gloucestershire  
			 Gloucester April 2001 
			 Greater Manchester — 
			 Gwent — 
			 Hampshire  
			 Basingstoke June 2001 
			 Aldershot March 2001 
			 Isle of Wight October 2000 
			 Portsmouth April 2001 
			 Portswood July 2001 
			 Hertfordshire  
			 St. Albans April 2001 
			 Watford April 2001 
			 Hertford January 2002 
			 Humberside  
			 Grimsby April 2001 
			 Scunthorpe April 2001 
			 Hull June 2001 
			 Kent  
			 Folkestone January 2001 
			 Maidstone January 2001 
			 Canterbury July 2001 
			 Chatham July 2001 
			 Lancashire  
			 Preston March 2001 
			 Leicestershire — 
			 Lincolnshire  
			 Skegness June 2001 
			 Merseyside — 
			 Metropolitan and City  
			 Bishopsgate September 2001 
			 Norfolk — 
			 Northamptonshire  
			 Weston Favell October 2001 
			 Northumbria — 
			 North Wales  
			 Caenarfon April 2001 
			 Colwyn Bay January 2002 
			 North Yorkshire — 
			 Nottinghamshire — 
			 South Wales  
			 Rumney January 2002 
			 South Yorkshire  
			 Barnsley May 2000 
			 Doncaster November 2001 
			 Staffordshire — 
			 Suffolk — 
			 Surrey — 
			 Sussex — 
			 Thames Valley — 
			 Warwickshire — 
			 West Mercia — 
			 West Midlands  
			 Brierly Hill March 2001 
			 Halesowen March 2001 
			 West Bromich November 2001 
			 West Yorkshire  
			 Halifax October 2000 
			 Wiltshire — 
		
	
	
		Trial units
		
			 Area/location Date established 
		
		
			  Avon and Somerset 
			 Bristol June 2000 
			  Bedfordshire 
			 Luton October 1999 
			  Cambridgeshire 
			 Huntingdon January 2002 
			  Cheshire 
			 Chester March 2001 
			 Warrington March 2001 
			  Cleveland 
			 Middlesbrough October 2000 
			 Cumbria — 
			  Derbyshire 
			 Derby October 2000 
			  Devon and Cornwall 
			 Exeter December 2000 
			 Plymouth December 2000 
			 Truro December 2001 
			 Dorset — 
			 Durham  
			 Durham March 2001 
			 Dyfed Powys  
			 Carmathan March 2002 
			 Essex  
			 Chelmsford March 2001 
			 Gloucestershire  
			 Gloucester October 2001 
			 Greater Manchester — 
			 Gwent  
			 Newport January 2001 
			 Hampshire  
			 Isle of Wight October 2000 
			 Eastleigh April 2001 
			 Portsmouth April 2001 
			 Hertfordshire  
			 St. Albans January 2002 
			 Humberside  
			 Grimsby April 2001 
			 Hull March 2001 
			 Kent  
			 Maidstone January 2001 
			 Canterbury January 2001 
			 Lancashire  
			 Preston May 2001 
			 Burnley May 2001 
			 Leicestershire — 
			 Lincolnshire  
			 Lincoln January 2001 
			 Merseyside  
			 Liverpool December 2000 
			 Crosby December 2000 
			 Metropolitan and City  
			 Old Bailey February 2001 
			 Harrow/Isleworth March 2002 
			 Snarsbrook March 2002 
			 Southwark/Middlesex March 2002 
			 ILCC/Youth March 2002 
			 Blackfrairs/Woolwich March 2002 
			 Wood Green March 2002 
			 Kingston March 2002 
			 Croydon March 2002 
			 Norfolk  
			 Norwich June 2001 
			 Northamptonshire — 
			 Northumbria  
			 Newcastle June 2001 
			 North Wales  
			 Wrexham March 2001 
			 Colwyn Bay January 2002 
			 North Yorkshire — 
			 Nottinghamshire  
			 Nottingham May 2000 
			 South Wales — 
			 South Yorkshire  
			 Sheffield December 2001 
			 Staffordshire  
			 Stafford October 2000 
			 Newcastle under Lyme October 2000 
			 Suffolk  
			 Ipswich April 2000 
			 Surrey  
			 Guildford April 2000 
			 Sussex — 
			 Thames Valley  
			 Abindon, Reading and Aylesbury April 2001 
			 Warwickshire — 
			 West Mercia — 
			 West Midlands  
			 Birmingham January 2001 
			 Coventry April 2001 
			 Wolverhampton January 2001 
			 West Yorkshire  
			 Leeds October 2000 
			 Bradford October 2000 
			 Wiltshire  
			 Wiltshire September 1999

TRANSPORT

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the mandate of the Technical Adaptation Committee on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical physical and biological agents at work is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	No committee with the name given and covering chemical, physical and biological agents is known to exist.

PPP Contracts

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what improvements in frequency of tube services will be delivered in each of the first seven years of the PPP contracts for each of the three consortia;
	(2)  when, for each line of London Underground, new trains will be introduced under the terms of PPP;
	(3)  when, for each line of London Underground, new capacity will be introduced under the terms of PPP; and how much new capacity will be introduced for each line.

David Jamieson: holding answer 14 May 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The modernisation plans for London Underground require contractors to meet performance specifications. The contracts do not specify the details of each individual project. Instead, the performance regime has been designed to deliver faster, more reliable and more pleasant journeys for passengers, as quickly as possible.
	The specifications include demanding targets for improvements in Journey Time Capability (JTC), an outcome measure which reflects passengers' experiences of a range of factors affecting how quickly they can travel through the underground system.
	Improvements in JTC through line upgrades, as specified in the current contracts, are as follows:
	Jubilee line: 22 per cent. by 2008
	Northern line: 18 per cent. by 2010
	Piccadilly line: 19 per cent. by 2013
	Bakerloo line: 15 per cent. by 2019
	Central line: 6 per cent. by 2004
	Victoria line:
	Interim upgrade—5 per cent. by 2004
	Main upgrade—14 per cent. by 1 September 2012 *
	Waterloo and City line: 12 per cent. by 2005
	Northern Sub-Surface lines:
	Interim upgrade—2 per cent. by 2010
	Main upgrade—17 per cent. by 2013
	Southern Sub-Surface lines:
	First interim upgrade—2 per cent. by 2010
	Second interim upgrade—3 per cent. by 2013
	Main upgrade—11 per cent. by 2016.
	To meet these specifications, the contractors will need to deliver substantial improvements across the entire system infrastructure, including works to increase frequency and capacity, and the introduction of new trains. In addition, on all lines contractors will be incentivised to improve availability scores, which measure infrastructure reliability. This will help London Underground to deliver service improvements, such as increased train frequency, irrespective of the timing of line upgrades.
	The contracts directly specify improvements to trains on all lines, which must be delivered by the dates are as listed:
	Jubilee line: 2016
	Northern line: 2016
	Piccadilly line: 2013
	Bakerloo line: 2019
	Central line: 2015
	Victoria line: 1 September 2012 *
	Waterloo and City line: 2015
	Metropolitan line: 2013
	District line: 2014
	Hammersmith and City/Circle line: 2013.
	All dates listed (except *) refer to contract years (ie 2005 ends on 31 March 2006). These are the latest dates by which improvements must be delivered. In practice, the infrastructure companies will need to start work on the upgrades many years in advance to meet these dates. Therefore many improvements will be delivered well before the contractual end-dates. The exact details of how the private sector companies intend to meet their contractual obligations are matters for the companies concerned.

Rail Crash Investigations

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) contracts and (b) technical support contracts were (i) awarded and (ii) used by the Health and Safety Executive as part of their investigation into the derailment at Potters Bar in May; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	In addition to all the work undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) internal laboratory, HSE engaged the following contractors to support their investigations of the Potters Bar rail crash:
	Contractor
	AEA Technology Rail—assistance with investigations (contractual arrangements will be via the central HSE call-off contract). The investigation continues and further contracts may be let. However, it should be noted that providing an exhaustive list of all contractors would entail disproportionate cost.

Rail Crash Investigations

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) contracts and (b) technical support contracts were (i) awarded and (ii) used by the Health and Safety Executive as part of their investigation into the Southall rail crash in September 1997; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Providing details of contracts let to support the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) investigation of the Southall rail crash would entail disproportionate cost because the methods of record keeping have changed since the Southall crash.

Rail Crash Investigations

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) contracts and (b) technical support contracts were (i) awarded and (ii) used by the Health and Safety Executive as part of their investigation into the Ladbroke Grove rail crash in October 1999; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	In addition to all the work undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) internal laboratory, HSE engaged the following contractors to support their investigations of the Ladbroke Grove rail crash:
	
		
			 Contractor Research 
		
		
			 Grant Fire Consultants Review of existing fire standards and a review of the literature in respect of the behaviour of fires on porous ground 
			 Intertek Testing Testing of gas/oil samples 
			 Forensic Science Services Paint analysis 
			 Astra Zeneca Auto ignition temperature test of samples of gas/oil 
			 University of Sheffield ICP analysis 
			 Garvic Development Design advice related to fuel tank impact test 
			 IC Consultants Technical support in respect of the failure of fuel tanks and of the collision dynamics 
		
	
	However, it should be noted that providing an exhaustive list of contractors would entail disproportionate cost.

Rail Crash Investigations

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) contracts and (b) technical support contracts were (i) awarded and (ii) used by the Health and Safety Executive as part of their investigation into the derailment at Hatfield in October 2000; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	In addition to all the work undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) internal laboratory, HSE engaged the following contractors to support their investigations of the Hatfield derailment:
	
		
			 Contractor  Research 
		
		
			 Trimac Ltd. Specialist photographic support 
			 AEA Technology Rail Assistance with investigation including on-site derailment investigation, track profile measurements and examination of vehicles 
			 AEA Consultancy Advice on non-destructive testing 
			 Serco Rail-test Practical non-destructive testing of rails 
			 Sheffield Testing Labs. Chemical analysis of steel samples, and machine and tensile test of rails 
		
	
	However, it should be noted that providing an exhaustive list of contractors would entail disproportionate cost.

SPADS

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what (a) contracts and (b) technical support contracts were (i) awarded and (ii) used by the Health and Safety Executive as part of their process of monitoring and investigating signals passed at danger; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The information is as follows.
	
		
			 Contractor  Research 
		
		
			 Railway Industry Training Council Development of a standard for defensive driving 
			 Railtrack procurement Signals passed at danger: rate in relation to signal type 
			 AEA Technology Human factors in reliability 
			 Vectra Proposed framework for addressing human factors in signal boxes; and circumstances surrounding Ladbroke Grove crash

Railway Lines

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what representations he has received from (a) the Health and Safety Commission, (b) the Health and Safety Executive, (c) Railtrack, (d) train operating companies and (e) others regarding (i) trespass, (ii) vandalism and (iii) informed vandalism on railway lines; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with (a) the Health and Safety Commission, (b) the Health and Safety Executive, (c) Railtrack, (d) train operating companies and (e) others regarding (i) trespass, (ii) vandalism and (iii) informed vandalism on railway lines; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 22 June 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Government are pleased that all sections of the rail industry have come together in the National Route Crime Group to examine and promote ways of tackling trespass and vandalism on the railways. The group includes passenger and freight train operators, Railtrack, Railway Safety, the Health and Safety Executive, British Transport police, trade unions, infrastructure contractors, the Rail Passengers Council and the Strategic Rail Authority. The Government will continue to remain in touch with these organisations on their efforts to reduce the incidence of trespass and vandalism on the railways.

Departmental Land

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the land that his Department (a) is offering for sale and (b) plans to offer in the next 12 months, giving its (i) location and (ii) size.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	I have placed in the Libraries of the House a spreadsheet listing the land, which the Department's Highways Agency is (a) offering for sale and (b) plans to offer in the next 12 months, giving its (i) location and (ii) where available, size.

Health and Safety Commission

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what dates he has (a) met, (b) written to and (c) communicated with the chair of the Health and Safety Commission in the last 12 months; what the subject was of each communication; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Ministers are in regular contact with the chair of the Health and Safety Commission and have frequent meetings, formal and informal, and correspondence with him throughout the year. The precise information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many computers were replaced in his Department in each of the past three years; how the replaced units were disposed of and by which companies; and at what cost.

David Jamieson: The information requested is not held centrally, or in a format which permits ready answer to the questions, and could therefore be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Age Discrimination

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if (a) his Department and (b) its agencies have a policy of not considering applications for employment by persons over a particular age.

David Jamieson: holding answer 10 June 2002
	My Department, including its agencies, follows the Civil Service Management Code. In line with that code, all applications for employment from persons below the age of 65 are considered equally.

Public Consultations

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the public consultations undertaken by his Department since June 2001, stating in each case the (a) number of respondents and (b) percentage of those specifically consulted who responded.

David Jamieson: holding answer 10 June 2002
	According to central records the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions issued 70 consultation documents between 1 June 2001 and 29 May 2002. I have placed a full list in the Library. The Department does not, however, keep central records of the numbers of responses received to each consultation.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many staff were employed by his Department on (a) 2 May 1997 and (b) 31 May 2002.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 13 June 2002, Official Report, column 1402W.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

David Jamieson: The Department's Public Service Agreement sets out the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its Service Delivery Agreement sets out the key steps towards delivery of those targets. Every year the Department publishes performance against its targets—including on value for money and the resources it has used, in its departmental report.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

David Jamieson: The Department's Public Service Agreement sets out the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its Service Delivery Agreement sets out the key steps towards delivery of those targets. Every year the Department publishes performance against its targets—including on value for money and the resources it has used, in its departmental report.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 had been spent by 31 May; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Boateng) on 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 130W.

Small Businesses

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many regulations which cause additional burdens for small businesses have been introduced in the field of health and safety in the last three years.

David Jamieson: During the period June 1999 to June 2002, 55 statutory instruments containing regulations relating to health and safety have been introduced. Not all of these will affect all firms, of whatever size; much depends on the nature of the business and the risks it creates. Some new legislation may indeed reduce burdens on small firms by simplifying existing legal requirements.

Small Businesses

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps his Department intend to take to reduce administrative burdens in the field of health and safety for small businesses; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: HSE has long recognised the special needs of smaller businesses and the importance of ensuring that administrative requirements placed on them in the field of health and safety are kept to the minimum, while ensuring that they recognise and act on their duties to protect the safety and health of their own workers and others.
	HSE consults widely on proposed regulations and guidance, although it recognises the need to ensure that small businesses are properly involved in developing its policies and practices and is currently looking at a variety of ways that will make it easier for small businesses to communicate with them.
	Many of the problems come from incorrect interpretation of regulations, companies often believing that they need to take more complicated action than is actually necessary or not understanding what needs to be done. HSE, therefore, produces extensive guidance on most of its regulations, much of it targeted towards small firms.
	HSE also continually looks for innovative ways to broaden its support to small businesses. For example, a pilot grant scheme is due to be launched shortly to provide some financial assistance for small businesses to access health and safety mentoring and training.

Women at Work (Pregnancy)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action Her Majesty's Government are taking to monitor and improve awareness of pregnancy complications among women at work.

David Jamieson: holding answer 13 June 2002
	The Health and Safety Executive published "New and Expectant Mothers at Work—A guide for employer" in 1995. The guide highlights the hazards and risks in relation to chemical, biological and physical agents, and working conditions and advises employers of possible pregnancy complications. A revised version is due to be launched in autumn 2002. To support this, HSE is planning to produce two additional leaflets—one for new and expectant mothers who work and the other for their health professionals.
	Health Promotion England has also published, on behalf of the Department of Health, the "Pregnancy Book" that is given (free) to all first time mothers. The book provides comprehensive guidance and information to women for a healthy pregnancy.

Members of Parliament (Personal Data)

Eric Forth: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information is held by his Department on each hon. Member in relation to (a) personal relationships, both current and past, (b) financial status and dealings, (c) connections with companies and interest groups, (d) connections with Governments and (e) published works; and what was held in January 2002.

Alistair Darling: Ministers and officials in the Department have access to published reference sources, as well as to the information about hon. Members made publicly available by the House authorities, for the purpose of parliamentary business.

Employees Injured at Work

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the number of British companies which have in place policies on rehabilitation for employees injured at work.

David Jamieson: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Although HSE has recently commissioned two surveys which have addressed rehabilitation at work in varying ways, neither asked whether a company has a policy on rehabilitation specifically for employees injured at work.
	One of these surveys has suggested that: approximately 25 per cent. of employers surveyed knew how to access rehabilitation support.
	Emerging findings from the other suggest that: 1,759 of the 4,950 companies surveyed provide rehabilitation programmes after illness.

Departmental Grants

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which organisations and outside bodies which were in receipt of grant in 1997–98 are no longer; what the annual saving is (a) individually and (b) in aggregate; which organisations and outside bodies which were not in receipt of grant in 1997–98 now are; and what the annual cost is (i) individually and (ii) in aggregate.

David Jamieson: The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Road Accidents

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were involved in road accidents while riving within one year of receiving their driving licence in each year since 1995.

David Jamieson: Information on the length of time for which drivers have held a licence is not collected as part of national road accident statistics. However, we do know from research that as many as one in five newly qualified drivers have some sort of accident in the first year of driving.

Competitive Tendering

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions in the last 12 months the requirement to engage in a competitive tendering process has been waived by his Department due to national security obligations under paragraph 6(h) of the supply regulations.

David Jamieson: There have been no occasions.

Passive Smoking

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he has received since 29 October 1999 from the Health and Safety Commission on its proposed Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work; and when he intends to approve the Code of Practice.

David Jamieson: The chair of the Health and Safety Commission wrote on 5 October 2000 to the Minister with responsibility for health and safety advising about the commission's decision to favour the introduction of an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP). The Government are giving careful consideration to the commission's proposals. As part of this process, the commission has been asked to consider further both the implications of an ACoP on the hospitality sector and small businesses generally, and the role the Public Places Charter could play. I have not yet been formally asked to give consent for the introduction of an ACoP as this work is still in hand.

Passive Smoking

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Health and Safety Executive revised the regulatory impact assessment which was contained in the Health and Safety Commission consultative document, "Proposals for an Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work"; and if he will publish it.

David Jamieson: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) partially revised the draft regulatory impact assessment (RIA) in August 2000. It would be inappropriate to publish this version because the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has been requested to carry out further work on the proposals that it underpins.

Passive Smoking

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Health and Safety Executive revised the draft Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking which was consulted on in the Health and Safety Commission consultative document, proposals for an Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work; and if he will publish it.

David Jamieson: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) partially revised the text of the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) in August 2000. It would be inappropriate to publish this version of the ACoP because the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has been requested to carry out further work on the proposals.

Passive Smoking

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a summary of responses to the Health and Safety Commission consultative document, proposals for an Approved Code of Practice on Passive Smoking at Work.

David Jamieson: A brief summary of responses was included in the press release issued by the Health and Safety Commission on 5 September 2000. Individual responses, subject to respondents' requests for confidentiality, are available for inspection at Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Information Centres.

Parliamentary Questions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the oral statement of 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 586, what the number and/or column reference was of the written parliamentary question from the week of 18 to 24 March, to which the then Secretary of State refers to with regard to letters of comfort.

John Spellar: holding answer 17 June 2002
	My right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, was referring to the draft comfort letters for the London Underground that were reported to Parliament using the minute procedure on 20 March 2002. The minute was placed in the Libraries of the House and reported to the Transport Select Committee and to the Public Accounts Committee.

Parliamentary Questions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of his guidance for officials on answering parliamentary questions.

Alistair Darling: Answers to parliamentary questions are drafted in accordance with "Guidance to Officials on Drafting Answers to Parliamentary Questions" issued by the Cabinet Office. In addition, guidance is issued to officials within the Department on deadlines and format for the different types of parliamentary questions. A copy of that guidance (which will be updated to reflect the recent machinery of government changes) has been placed in the Library of the House.

Driving Lessons

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses he has received to the consultation document on, Introducing a More Structured Approach to Learning to Drive, broken down by category of respondents.

David Jamieson: The Department has received over 300 responses to this consultation document. These have come from a wide range of interests including driving instructors and their trade associations, road safety and road user groups, other organisations and individuals with an interest in the issues raised in the document. Responses are still being received and they have not yet been broken down into categories.

Aviation Kerosene

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment the Government have made on the environmental benefits of a tax on aviation kerosene; and what plans he has to work towards an international agreement to impose such a duty.

David Jamieson: Our assessment is that a tax on aviation kerosene would have worthwhile environmental benefits in reducing climate change impacts from aircraft emissions but only if it were imposed internationally. The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) concluded at its assembly last October that alternative measures such as an open emissions trading scheme or an emissions charge could be equally if not more environmentally beneficial than such a tax. The UK is currently assisting ICAO in following up these possibilities.

Strategic Rail Authority

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has finalised agreement with the Strategic Rail Authority to introduce a standard three hour journey time between London and Plymouth.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 27 February 2002, Official Report, column 1369W. This is not a matter that requires my agreement.

"The New Humber Pilotage Service"

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what consultation took place with Humber Pilots Limited on the time spent to complete an act of pilotage for the DTLR document, "The New Humber Pilotage Service"; and what the outcome of this consultation was;
	(2)  what the source of the statistic was that new very large ships pilots on the Humber have already done over 100 very large ships each on the DTLR document, "The New Humber Pilotage Service" (paragraph 3.21).

David Jamieson: holding answer 21 June 2002
	The information was obtained from detailed individual records maintained by the competent harbour authority, Associated British Ports.

Stena Gothica

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Humber pilot in charge of the Stena Gothica on 2 April was authorised by Associated British Ports.

David Jamieson: holding answer 21 June 2002
	This incident is currently the subject of an investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch. All the pilots now working on the Humber have been authorised (or in some cases re-authorised) by the competent harbour authority on or after 12 December 2001, when the former pilots went on strike.

Humber Pilots

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what percentage of Associated British Ports' new Humber pilots have an unlimited Foreign Going Master's Certificate or Class 1;
	(2)  what percentage of new Humber pilots have a United Kingdom/European Union Certificate of Competency.

David Jamieson: holding answer 21 June 2002
	This is a matter for the competent harbour authority which has the statutory responsibility for deciding what qualifications are required from applicants for authorisation. There is no rule requiring any particular seafaring qualification and practice varies.

Speed Limit (Motorways)

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to increase the speed limit on motorways.

David Jamieson: There are no plans to increase the speed limit on motorways.

Consultation Exercises

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list each consultation exercise being carried out by his Department, including the start date, the date by which responses had to be returned and the expected date for reporting on the consultation.

David Jamieson: holding answer 21 June 2002
	According to central records the Department is currently carrying out nine consultation exercises. A full list of these consultation exercises, including start dates and dates by which responses must be returned, has been placed in the Library. Reports on consultations are published once all of the responses have been received, and the issues they raise, have been considered.

Railtrack

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) discussions have taken place and (b) assessment he has made of the role of developing an asset register of Railtrack upon delay attribution; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: None. There is no direct correlation between the development of an asset register and the process of delay attribution. The register will contain information on the condition, capability and capacity of Railtrack's assets.

Rail Safety

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many rail workers have been injured while working on rail lines, in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The numbers of workers injured while working on rail lines in each year since 1997 is as follows:
	
		
			   1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Major injuries 6 3 3 2 
			 Minor injuries 18 7 12 4 
		
	
	The Railway Group Safety Plan for 2001–02 sets out a number of detailed targets for reducing risks to railway staff working on Railtrack's infrastructure.

Rail Safety

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he plans to introduce legislation requiring rail network companies to introduce a specific type of safety mechanism onto rolling stock over a certain age; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: There is no safety legislation relating specifically to the age of rolling stock. The Railway Safety Regulations 1999 require a form of automatic train protection where reasonably practical, for example the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS), to be fitted on all trains and key signals throughout the rail network by the end of 2003.
	Under the same regulations all Mark 1 rolling stock must be fitted with a safety modification (to prevent overriding in the event of two Mark 1 carriages colliding in an accident) by the end of 2002, in order to remain in service until the end of 2004 when they will finally be withdrawn from service. An exemption from the regulations can only be granted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE is currently conducting a public consultation on an application for exemption to fit the safety modification received from the three Mark 1 train operating companies, South West Trains, Connex South Eastern and South Central. The HSE is expected to make a decision in the autumn.

Network Rail

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what internal investigations have been launched by his Department and by its predecessor into grey market share trading in Railtrack shares before the Network Rail bid was announced on 25 March.

John Spellar: holding answer 21 June 2002
	None. Market surveillance is properly a matter for the Financial Services Authority.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the mandate of the Committee on Experts on the Transit of Electricity through Grids is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	The role of the committee is to mediate in disputes between network operators over conditions for the use of electricity transit lines, as set out in Article 3 of Council Directive 90/547/EEC of 29 October 1990 on the transit of electricity through transmission grids.
	The committee has not met in the past 12 months. The UK representation is provided by the National Grid Group plc. There is no UK public funding of this committee. There are no items currently under consideration by the committee.
	The Commission's current proposals for liberalising the European energy market would repeal Directive 90/547/EEC and so remove the legal base for this committee.
	There are no plans to increase accountability and transparency as it is about to be dissolved.

Mobile Phone Masts

Archie Norman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps the Department has taken to monitor the mobile phone industry's adherence to its 10 voluntary commitments on siting and erection of mobile phone masts.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	The then Minister for Housing, Planning and Regeneration met representatives of the five mobile phone network operators on 8 May 2002 to discuss their progress in meeting their commitments and to discuss the audit arrangements that they have put in place to assess continuing compliance with the commitments.
	Work currently under way to revise the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Masts is building on the commitments and on our guidance in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8 (Telecommunications) to improve consultation on mast proposals with local communities and local planning authorities. The Working Group established to take that work forward will monitor the operation of the revised Code and effectiveness of the commitments themselves.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

International Baccalaureate

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding is available for scholarship support relating to International Baccalaureate study at the United World college.

David Miliband: The Department has no direct involvement in and does not fund any scholarship programmes relating to the International Baccalaureate.

Infant Classes

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) average infant class size was in each year since 1997 and (b) total number of infants in classes in each of these years was.

David Miliband: The requested information is shown in the table.
	
		Average size of infant classes(1),(2) in England
		
			   Number of classes Number of pupils Average class size 
		
		
			 2002(3) 61,527 1,548,947 25.2 
			 2001 62,480 1,575,160 25.2 
			 2000 62,651 1,614,641 25.8 
			 1999 61,597 1,629,716 26.5 
			 1998 61,142 1,654,287 27.1 
			 1997 61,107 1,646,660 26.9 
		
	
	(1) One teacher classes
	(2) Position in January each year
	(3) Provisional
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Music and Ballet Assisted Places

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils were educated on the music and ballet assisted places scheme in each academic year since 1997; and at what cost in each year.

David Miliband: The music and ballet scheme has been renamed the music and dance scheme. The information requested is given in the following table:
	
		
			 Academic year Number of aided pupils Total cost (AY) £ million 
		
		
			 1997–98 659 9.4 
			 1998–99 693 10.0 
			 1999–2000 710 10.6 
			 2000–01 749 11.2 
			 2001–02(4) 771 12.2 
		
	
	(4) Estimate

Connexions Card (Proof of Age)

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to use the connexions card as the basis for a national proof-of-age scheme for young people.

Stephen Twigg: The primary purpose of the connexions card is to encourage young people to continue in learning, after the age of 16. However, the features of the card mean that it can be used for proof-of-age purposes by young people, if they wish.

Medical Students

David Rendel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the total were admitted to study medicine in UK medical schools from (a) independent schools, (b) public sector schools and (c) abroad, broken down by medical school in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 10 June 2002
	The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.

Medical Degrees

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, pursuant to the answer of 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 581W, on medical degrees, how many medical degree places were offered by higher education institutions; and how many of these places were taken up by pre-clinical medical students, in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 24 May 2002
	The latest information is shown in the table.
	
		Students accepted to pre-clinical medical courses in the UK
		
			  Planned intake Accepted applicants(5) 
		
		
			 1997 5,020 5,029 
			 1998 5,062 5,119 
			 1999 5,165 5,312 
			 2000 5,595 5,714 
			 2001 5,928 6,240 
		
	
	(5) Home and overseas domiciled students accepted via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Aberdeen Bacterial Culture Collection

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support is being given to the maintenance and development of the bacterial culture collection in Aberdeen; and whether the level of that support will increase in the current year.

Patricia Hewitt: I have been asked to reply.
	Support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) for the bacteria culture collection—the National Industrial and Environmental Culture Collections (NIECC)—in Aberdeen totalled £197,000 over the 12 month period to 31 July 2002. BBSRC is currently reviewing future funding for the collection in the light of a significant decrease in demand for cultures from UK industry and academic centres over the last three years.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Pensions

Paul Truswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes there have been in (a) cash and (b) real terms in the state pension between 1998–99 an 2002–03.

Ian McCartney: Between 1998–99 and 2002–03 Basic State Pension has increased from £64.70 to £75.50. This is an increase of £10.80 in cash terms.
	If the Basic State Pension had been uprated in line with prices, the value in 2002–03 would have been £70.95. There has been a real increase of £4.55 in Basic State Pension between 1998–99 and 2002–03.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases have arisen in the past two years in which persons approaching pensionable age have been incorrectly advised in writing by the Benefits Agency that their additional pension will be nil.

Ian McCartney: The information requested is not available.

Winter Fuel

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the winter fuel payments advertising campaign.

Ian McCartney: This year's Winter Fuel Payment advertising campaign has closely mirrored campaigns from previous years which gave people two routes for claiming; a Helpline and a claim form on press adverts. During the press advertising the Department gathered information from people who rang the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline to find out where they had found out about the Helpline.
	As of 15 March 2002, 278,643 claim forms had been issued from the Helpline of which 217,678 had been returned along with 4,494 internet forms. The Helpline had also received 22,915 coupons in response to national press advertising.

Targeting Fraud Website

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many hits the Targeting Fraud website has received; how many cases of suspected fraud have been reported to the website; how many of these suspected cases have been investigated; how many of them have led to a successful prosecution; and how many of them have led to a custodial sentence.

Malcolm Wicks: The website is only one part of the Targeting Fraud advertising campaign, just as prosecution is only one way of punishing fraudsters. The campaign is succeeding in raising awareness of benefit fraud and reinforcing the message that committing fraud is wrong.
	The available information is in the table.
	
		
			 Targeting fraud website from 7 May 2000 to 31 March 2002  
		
		
			 Number of hits (6)1,653,514 
			 Number of cases of suspected fraud reported 11,802 
			 Number of cases accepted for action by investigation staff 2,734 
			 Number of resulting investigations completed 673 
			 Number of resulting benefit rate changes (7)180 
			 Number of prosecutions so far 4 
			 Number of resulting custodial sentences (8)n/a 
		
	
	(6) The figure is for the number of hits to 30 March 2002. The number of hits is recorded on a weekly basis and cannot be broken down further.
	(7) Figures include increases and decreases and can relate either to fraud, client error or official error.
	(8) Information is not collated centrally on the number of custodial sentences arising from investigations as a direct result of the Targeting Fraud Website.
	Source:
	Internet Team, DWP Communications and Fraud Information By Sector system.

Rent Service

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 7 May 2002, Official Report, column 79W, on the Rent Service, if he will call for a report from the Rent Service on the basis of its estimate of the likely increase in the number of localities following the Court of Appeal judgment on local reference rent restrictions in Stockport; and if he will publish the report.

Malcolm Wicks: To commission a report would place an unnecessary administrative burden on the Rent Service.

Grants

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which organisations and outside bodies which were in receipt of grant in 1997–98 are no longer; what the annual saving is (a) individually and (b) in aggregate; which organisations and outside bodies which were not in receipt of grant in 1997–98 now are; and what the annual cost is (i) individually and (ii) in aggregate.

Ian McCartney: The organisations and outside bodies currently receiving grants from the Department for Work and Pensions are the same as those receiving grants from the constituent parts of the Department during 1997–98.

Child Support Agency

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he (a) suspended and (b) plans to reinstate the CSA deferred debt scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Section 27(5) of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 means that no new Temporary Compensation Payment agreements may be entered into after 31 March 2002. Regulations under section 27(9) of the Act to revive the scheme have been laid before the House today.

Child Support Agency

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to allow the Child Support Agency the power of surveillance in tackling fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Child Support Agency has wide information gathering powers, including being able to require that employers and accountants provide them with relevant information.
	These powers have been buttressed by the creation, in section 13 of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000, of two new criminal offences, of failing to give information and of knowingly giving false information. These offences carry fines of up to £1,000. The provision has been in force since January 2001.
	Ministers have therefore taken the view that the Child Support Agency need not use the powers granted to the Department by its inclusion, as a relevant public authority for the purposes of sections 28 and 29 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, in Schedule 1 of that Act. An important additional factor in that decision is that surveillance is intensely resource-intensive and diversion of resources into such activity cannot be justified when the Agency's focus must be on implementation of the new child support scheme. The position on the use of surveillance is kept under review.

Entertainment Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost was of the Department's 2001 staff Christmas party; and how many people attended.

Ian McCartney: The Department for Work and Pensions does not hold an official staff Christmas party, nor does it provide funding for individual staff Christmas parties within its organisation.

Second State Pension

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to publicise the second state pension to carers.

Ian McCartney: Most people will automatically benefit from the state second pension without having to do anything new or different. Our publicity activity therefore focuses on the groups who may not automatically start building up state second pension and may need to take appropriate action, primarily carers and parents.
	We have produced information both on our website and as a leaflet to inform these two groups about the state second pension and to outline any action they may need to take to build up entitlement. We are also currently conducting promotional activity for carers and parents about state second pension, which includes press advertising in national and local press and relevant magazines and direct mail to relevant advisory organisations.
	We anticipate carrying out further promotional activity in the future to continue to ensure that people are aware of the action they need to take to benefit from the availability of the state second pension.

Vaccine Damage Payments

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the target date is for the implementation of the new rules on vaccine damage payments.

Maria Eagle: The Regulatory Reform (Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979) Order 2002, which introduces the new rules on Vaccine Damage Payments, came into force on 16 June 2002.

Housing Benefit

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken by each local authority in England and Scotland to process new housing benefit applications was in the most recent year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Under Best Value, we have set a range of performance indicators for Housing Benefit which are designed to ensure that authorities provide their communities with a faster, more accurate service which is more secure against fraud, and which provides value for money and takes account of the views and needs of clients. Authorities are required to set challenging local targets against the indicators and, from April 2002, have been set aspirational targets for speed of processing.
	The first full year in which data was collected on the performance of local authorities against Best Value performance indicators was 2000–01. Information on the average time taken by each local authority in England to process new Housing Benefit claims for 2000–01 has been placed in the Library.
	Information on the average time taken by each local authority in Scotland to process new Housing Benefit claims for 2000–01 is in the Accounts Commission publication "Performance Indicators 2000–01: Benefits, Finance and Corporate Issues", a copy of which is available in the Library.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial aid she estimates infrastructure reconstruction projects in Afghanistan still require.

Clare Short: The preliminary needs assessment that was prepared for the Tokyo conference estimated, under a low case scenario, that Afghanistan's funding requirements over the next five years would be $8.3 billion, excluding humanitarian inputs. It is doubtful whether Afghanistan will have the capacity to absorb this amount in the short term: our estimate is that a total of $1 billion per annum will be required for a combination of humanitarian, recovery and reconstruction activities. Provided donors deliver on the pledges made at Tokyo, sufficient funds should be available.

Southern Africa

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether she has discussed the famine in southern Africa with CDC Capital Partners.

Clare Short: CDC is not involved in famine relief.

Urban Slums

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent projects her Department has undertaken to reduce the number of people living in urban slums in developing countries.

Clare Short: Increasingly we are providing assistance to developing countries through Direct Budget Support to enable developing country Governments to take forward their own priorities under their Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) agreed with the international community. All PRSPs include a section on addressing urban poverty issues.
	In addition in India, for example, we have supported the Government of Andhra Pradesh in their programme for urban services for the poor. This programme works at a policy level with the 32 class 1 municipalities in the state, and provides support to encourage investments in upgrading slum areas. This experience has also been taken into account with new work on urban poverty reduction in Kolkata (Calcutta) and in Kenya and Jamaica where DFID has supported work to help local organisation of the urban poor initiate improvements in the living conditions of the urban poor.
	In addition, we are directly supporting the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in their work to provide guidance and best practice advice to developing countries in reducing the numbers of people living in slum conditions and are working with the collaborative UN Urban Management Programme. The latter provides working examples of improved practice at the local government level.
	We are also collaborating globally with 17 other partners, including all G7 members, in the Cities Alliance which has the overall objective of "Cities Without Slums". In practical terms, we have helped them develop the Community-led Infrastructure Finance Facility which will provide better access of local community groups to local bank funding of their own projects. This is seen as a long-term process for people to take command of their own improvements in living conditions.

Water Conservation

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent projects her Department has undertaken to support water conservation projects in developing countries.

Clare Short: The term water conservation may refer to increasing storage of water resources, greater efficiency in the use of water resources, or to the conservation of valuable aquatic ecosystems. DFID has supported a substantial number of activities seeking to address all of these. The number is too great to list here, but the projects and programmes set out give an illustration of the type of engagement DFID are undertaking:
	Increasing storage of water resources
	Current projects include:
	Sustainable management of West Bank and Gaza aquifers
	Augmenting groundwater resources by artificial recharge
	Community management of groundwater resources
	Guidelines for implementing environmental flows.
	Greater efficiency in the use of water
	DFID has funded many research projects looking at ways in which the water efficiency in irrigation can be improved and has encouraged Governments to take up the results. These include:
	Raising irrigation productivity and releasing water for inter- sectoral needs.
	Improving community spate irrigation systems
	Improved irrigation in peri-urban areas.
	Conservation of aquatic ecosystems
	Examples of DFID support include the Uganda Lake Management project and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Water and Nature Initiative, particularly the elements looking at wetland economics and ecosystem based livelihoods.
	DFID is also directly supporting developing countries in preparing and implementing comprehensive policies and strategies for integrated water resource management. To have these strategies in the process of implementation by 2005 is one of the internationally agreed targets to which DFID is committed.
	DFID is also supporting a number of global initiatives that are promoting water conservation in all its interpretations. These include the Global Water Partnership, the International Hydrological Programme, the World Commission for Dams (and the subsequent Dams for Development Unit), Water for Food and Nature Dialogue and the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage.
	Monitoring of water conservation activities and consequences is also supported through agencies such as the World Water Assessment Programme and the Joint Monitoring Programme of WHO and Unicef, both of which DFID contribute to.

Agricultural Irrigation

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on the subsidy of freshwater extraction for use in agricultural irrigation.

Clare Short: For all water uses, the Department for International Development is fully committed to the Dublin Principles (from the International Conference on Water and the Environment in Dublin in 1992) that (i) fresh water is a finite and vulnerable resource, essential to sustain life, development and the environment, and (ii) water has an economic value in all its competing uses and should be regarded as an economic good. DFID are also committed to Agenda 21 (which was prepared at the Earth summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992) which provides that water resources must be managed for sustainable food production and development.
	Experience shows that management autonomy, adequate financial resources and tariffs that provide an acceptable return are all important for success improving efficiency in water use and in sustainable management of water resources.
	DFID policy is that water users should pay the full economic cost of providing water, while at the same time ensuring that there is equity in access to water. Users should pay for the level of service provided, but with scope for subsidies to lower volume users.

DEFENCE

ISAF (Afghanistan)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial support will be given to Turkey in taking over the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial support the Turkish Government will receive in respect of their leadership of ISAF; what proportion of this cost will be borne by the UK Government; and which Government Department will bear the cost.

Geoff Hoon: The US Administration has submitted a request to Congress for a significant amount of funding for Turkey's leadership of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). Approval is still awaited for this. Any questions on this subject should be directed to the US themselves. The United Kingdom will not be giving any financial assistance, but has agreed to leave in Afghanistan for use by ISAF some computer and communications equipment and a fire engine.

ISAF (Afghanistan)

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the UK will relinquish the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom formally relinquished the leadership of the International Security Assistance Force on 20 June 2002.

ISAF (Afghanistan)

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what date has been set for the transfer of the leadership of ISAF from the UK to Turkey; how many UK forces will stay in Afghanistan after this transfer; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: I refer the hon. Member to the statement on operations in Afghanistan that I made in the House on 20 June 2002, Official Report, columns 407–21.

Monthly Manning State

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a copy of the latest Monthly Manning State in the Library; and if he will make it his policy to place each new edition in the Library immediately it is printed each month.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 20 May 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to Tri-Service Publication 1: UK Regular Forces Strengths and Changes and Tri-Service Publication 3: UK Armed Forces Strengths and Requirements. These are both available in the Library of the House and are updated on a monthly basis.

Departmental Expenditure Limit

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much and what proportion of the departmental expenditure limit for 2002–03 will be accounted for by staff costs; what the figures were for 2001–02; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: In 2002–03 staff for service and civilian personnel costs are planned to be £9.777 billion. This is some 40 per cent. of the budgeted Departmental Expenditure Limit (DEL) of £24.597 billion provided for in the Main Supply Estimates (Cm 5510).
	In 2001–02 the provisional outturn is £9.377 billion which represents some 38 per cent. of the DEL agreed at Spring Supplementary Estimates of £24.690 billion. In Main Estimates 2001–02 (Cm 5109) staff costs were planned to be £9.533 billion within a total of £23.770 billion, some 40 per cent.

Ethnic Monitoring

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what ethnic monitoring is conducted by the Army.

Adam Ingram: The Army monitors its equal opportunities climate through the use of both quantitative and qualitative data. It is currently looking at recruitment progress of ethnic minority personnel in relation to their non-ethnic counterparts and the representation of ethnic minorities in the Army. In addition, the armed forces are currently undertaking a full re-survey of the ethnic origin of all personnel in line with the revised categories contained in the 2001 census.

Ethnic Monitoring

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of soldiers in each of the guards regiments are members of an ethnic minority.

Adam Ingram: The data detailed represents the proportion of soldiers, trained and untrained, in each of the Guards Regiments that have been recorded as members of an ethnic minority. Due to the current ethnic re-categorisation survey being undertaken within the Ministry of Defence the figures are as at 1 October 2001, which is the latest available data.
	
		
			 Regiments Percentage 
		
		
			 Grenadier Guards 3.0 
			 Coldstream Guards 0.8 
			 Scots Guard 1.3 
			 Irish Guards 3.3 
			 Welsh Guards 1.3 
			 Total 1.9 
		
	
	The figure does not include those with unspecified ethnic origin. Guards in an unspecified regiment have not been included.

Colchester Garrison

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the original estimate was for (a) the gross cost and (b) the consequent annual rental in respect of the redevelopment of the Colchester Garrison; and what his latest estimate is in each case.

Adam Ingram: The detailed figures are commercial in confidence, and at this stage I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Colchester Garrison

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will set out the key milestones for the public finance initiative in respect of the re-development of the Colchester Garrison, stating the (a) given, (b) 90 per cent. and (c) 50 per cent. probable timetable in each case.

Adam Ingram: On current plans, the project should reach financial close by October 2004. A risk programme with percentages is still subject to negotiation with RMPA Services.

Colchester Garrison

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many soldiers are living in temporary accommodation at Colchester Garrison; and when new single living accommodation will be available to replace the temporary accommodation.

Adam Ingram: There are some 130 soldiers living in temporary accommodation in Colchester Garrison. Under the private finance initiative, some single living accommodation would be available, on current plans, in mid-2007, and the remainder in 2009. We are investigating whether there is any scope for bringing forward these dates.

Sikhs

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Sikhs are serving in the armed forces.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 21 June 2002
	There are currently 63 regular armed forces personnel who have recorded their religion as Sikh.

Ordnance (Kenya)

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 24 April 2002, Official Report, column 263W, on ordnance (Kenya), when he expects the information described to be made available.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 21 June 2002
	I hope to be in a position to provide the information before the summer recess.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Scottish HQs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many global companies have headquarters in Scotland.

Brian Wilson: It is not possible to provide this information from the Register of Companies.
	All limited companies with a registered office in Scotland are registered at Companies House in Edinburgh. The register does not hold separate information on the global or national nature of the company. Companies who are not protected by limited liability do not have to register at all.

Arms Exports

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what level of debt to the Export Credits Guarantee Department as a result of arms sales (a) was created in each of the last five years and (b) remains unpaid for each of the last five years.

Patricia Hewitt: The table indicates ECGD claims payments in respect of exports of defence equipment in the last five years for which audited figures are available. Most of these claims have been rescheduled through the Paris Club, thus deferring the debtor country's obligations.
	
		
			  Year/market Claims payments (£000)  Recovery status 
		
		
			 1996   
			 Algeria 28,295 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Egypt 6,565 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Jordan 14,865 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Kenya 2 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			
			 1997   
			 Algeria 12,585 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Egypt 1,402 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Jordan 24,742 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Kenya 48 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			
			 1998   
			 Indonesia 20,899 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Jordan 10,141 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Kenya 14 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			
			 1999   
			 Indonesia 151,216 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Zimbabwe 973 Recovered in full 
			
			 2000   
			 Indonesia 180,169 Rescheduled in Paris Club 
			 Zimbabwe 890 Awaiting recovery

Arms Exports

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the level was of export credit guarantee coverage for arms sales in each of the last five years.

Patricia Hewitt: According to ECGD's last five published annual report and accounts, guarantees in support of exports of defence equipment were provided for the following amounts:
	
		
			 Year £ billion 
		
		
			 1996–97 0.37 
			 1997–98 0.76 
			 1998–99 1.7 
			 1999–2000 1.58 
			 2000–01 2.73

Sub-post Offices

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used in the granting of the right to sub-post offices to issue vehicle licences where there is strong local demand.

Stephen Timms: Acting as an agent, Post Office Ltd. is dependent on the level of service required through post offices by the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency. I am informed by Post Office Ltd. that criteria used to place the motor vehicle licensing (MVL) facility include availability of office space, car parking, local customer demand and the need to maintain a geographical spread. Currently 4,091 offices offer MVL services.
	Current figures also indicate that 90 per cent. of people are within one mile of a post office which offers these MVL services.

Architectural Businesses

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what help is provided to small and medium sized architectural businesses to facilitate their involvement in (a) Government funded building projects and (b) urban regeneration projects;
	(2)  what assistance is given to small and medium sized architectural businesses to enable them to make successful bids for urban regeneration funded projects.

Brian Wilson: The Department of Trade and Industry is working with the construction industry (including architects) to promote and embed the principles of rethinking construction. This initiative emphasises the need to integrate the construction team (including suppliers, contractors, professional advisers and clients) in order to deliver a high quality product that adds value to the client's activities. As part of this initiative, the Department has helped to fund the development of Design Quality Indicators which provide a means to assess the quality of a design as seen by architects, suppliers, clients and end users. These indicators will be launched jointly by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and the Construction Industry Council on 8 July. I, along with my Ministerial Design Champion colleagues, have also committed to the production of action plans to ensure that construction projects taken forward by this Department adhere to the principles of rethinking construction and take fully into account the need for high quality design.
	The Department is also working very closely with CABE to promote understanding within both the public and private sector of how fundamental good design is both to the delivery of value for money and to the delivery of buildings which add to the quality of life of those using the building or living in the community around it. CABE undertakes a wide range of activities to encourage and facilitate improved design that are aimed at architects, suppliers and clients. These include: grants to develop and maintain architecture centres throughout the UK which provide a source of expertise and advice for both architects and clients; provision of training for both architects and clients to improve skills and improve understanding by clients of the sort of service they need from architects; design competitions to encourage small and new practices to develop projects and to showcase their skills; and the development of a digital website to showcase regeneration projects and projects covering a variety of different types of public buildings both to provide advice on how to deliver a good project and also to showcase the talents of architects.
	The Office of Government Commerce, with CABE, has met with the Royal Institute of British Architects to discuss the issue of access of small and medium sized architectural firms to Government contracts. This dialogue is ongoing. In addition, CABE is working with individual Government Departments to promote a diversity of design firms on specific projects, most recently with the Department for Education and Skills on Neighbourhood Nurseries and SureStart.

Broadband Access

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what financial assistance has been provided to (a) local authorities and (b) regional development agencies to encourage internet service providers to roll out broadband internet facilities to villages and small towns throughout the United Kingdom;
	(2)  what incentives are offered by her Department to encourage internet service providers to roll out broadband technology facilities to villages and small towns throughout the United Kingdom.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 18 June 2002
	The Government have made available a £30 million fund to help the Regional Development Agencies and devolved Administrations develop innovative schemes to extend broadband networks.
	The Government's broadband strategy was set out in the UK Online annual report, and included measures to maximise competition in the broadband market and facilitate easy access to broadband services.
	Structural Funds can also be used for broadband access projects provided they meet the criteria set out in the Single Programming Documents agreed with the Commission for each English region and the devolved Administrations.

Export Finance (Energy Production)

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to his answer of 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 978W, on export finance, if she will list (a) the project name, (b) the country location, (c) the capacity in MW, (d) the estimated carbon emissions and (e) the value of the loan guaranteed for the seven coal-fired power stations for which the ECGD has provided Overseas Investment Insurance and other insurance.

Patricia Hewitt: It is ECGD policy not to publish details of cases involving Overseas Investment Insurance or other insurance facilities. This is to protect ECGD's own operations as there is a risk that knowledge by the buyer of the presence of export related insurance may increase the risk of action that may lead to a claim being paid. Details of insurance are also commercially sensitive on the part of the UK exporter or investor, as the presence of investment or export related insurance may harm their relationship with their buyer, local partner or the host Government. The same sensitivities do not apply so much to ECGD's guarantee or finance facilities as by nature these are usually more complex products and all parties will generally be aware of the presence of ECGD support. This approach is consistent with that adopted by export credit agencies in other countries.
	According to information already published the insurance cases in respect of seven coal-fired power stations involved a total capacity of 4,960 MW and annual CO 2 emissions of approximately 17.9 million tonnes per year.

Coal Plant (Philippines)

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether the ECGD has received (a) an application for support and (b) an expression of interest from UK firms for possible ECGD support regarding the proposed coal plant at Pulupandan in Negros Occidental, the Philippines.

Patricia Hewitt: ECGD has no record of any applications for support or any expressions of interest from UK firms in relation to this project.

Energy Consumption

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the estimated level of energy consumption was per square metre within the UK in (a) commercial, (b) retail and (c) Government offices in each year since 1997.

Brian Wilson: Figures are as shown in the table.
	
		Gigajoules per square metre per year
		
			 Energy consumption 1997 2000 
		
		
			 Commercial offices 0.88 0.91 
			 Retail sector 1.00 0.98 
			 Government sector 1.09 1.05 
		
	
	These figures are from the Building Research Establishment (BRE). Figures for 2000 were published in BRE's Report "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from non- Domestic Buildings: 2000 and beyond". Comparable figures are not available for 1998 and 1999.

World Trade

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 1129W, on the WTO, if she will make a statement on progress with measures to make the WTO more transparent and open and its rules easier to understand, including details of measures proposed by the UK Government.

Patricia Hewitt: On 14 May 2002—after four years of negotiation—WTO members agreed improved procedures for the circulation and derestriction of WTO documents. This marks an important step forward in making its operations more transparent.
	The UK Government supported moves towards even greater relaxation of the rules on restricting documents, but some other WTO members, not least from developing countries, remain concerned about the implications for their negotiating positions within the organisation and the practicalities for smaller delegations.
	The UK Government believes that greater transparency and openness both within the WTO and with Civil Society—while preserving the Inter-governmental nature of the organisation—can only bring benefits in strengthening and explaining the system of multi-lateral trade rules.
	The UK also actively supports measures to improve the ability of developing countries to participate fully in the WTO negotiations and, more generally their capacity to understand and implement WTO rules. The 2000 White Paper on International Development "Eliminating World Poverty—Making Globalisation Work for the Poor", commits the UK to providing £45 million of support to Trade Related Technical Assistance and Capacity Building in 1998–2003. To date £37.8 million of this has been formally committed.

World Trade

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the annual cost to developing countries of TRIPS.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department has made no specific assessment of the annual cost of developing countries of TRIPS.

Telecommunications Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the outcome was of the Telecommunications Council held on 18 June; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including their voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: I represented the UK at the Telecommunications Council in Luxembourg on 18 June.
	There was a policy debate on the Commission's eEurope 2005 Action Plan. The presidency forwarded conclusions to the Seville European Council on 21–22 June. The Commission emphasised the potential economic and social benefits of widespread access to interactive information society services, and the adaptability of the Action Plan to the needs of an enlarged EU in due course. The Commission also stressed the importance of content development, and parallel work to make the information society accessible to the disabled. I spoke in support of the Action Plan's dual focus on markets for broadband access, as well as on the demand for applications, content and service provision, and asked the council to signal its full commitment to the Action Plan.
	On the reform of ICANN, the private sector company based in the United States that manages the internet domain name system, there was unanimous agreement among member states that ICANN's role should be limited to core technical functions and that the role of the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) should be strengthened and internationalised to ensure that public policy issues remain the concern primarily of the GAC rather than ICANN. The negotiating remit agreed by member states earlier this month under COREPER's mandate from the March Telecommunications Council will be used by the Commission in the continuing ICANN reform negotiations at Bucharest later this month and in Shanghai in October.
	The council reached political agreements on two proposed Decisions on the Interchange of Data between Administrations (IDA) and adopted a Decision on telecoms Trans European Networks (TENs) without the need for a vote. There was also an agreement on a general approach to the extension of the Safer Internet Action Plan, now known as eSafe, on which the presidency will now try to pursue a first reading deal with the European Parliament. The council also agreed conclusions on the new internet protocol IPv6.
	The Commission gave a presentation on the state of play on the Commission instruments needed to complete the new communications package: significant market power (SMP) guidelines are likely to be adopted in June; a public consultation on the Commission's recommendation on relevant markets has been launched, and is expected to be adopted in September; decisions establishing a European Regulators Group and Radio Spectrum Policy Group are expected in June; a Commission directive on competition in telecoms markets is expected before the summer.
	There were presentations from the Commission on its proposal for a directive on the re-use and commercial exploitation of public sector information, and on its 11 June 2002 communication on the roll-out of third generation mobile access and services. The Commission also gave short presentations on the Eutelsat privatisation process, and on open platforms for digital television and 3G mobile on which a Communication is expected at the end of this year.

Pension Transfers

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on pension transfers from the public sector with specific reference to the ECJ Beckmann case.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 20 June 2002
	The Government are currently giving consideration to the decision in the case of Katia Beckman and Dynamco Whicheloe Macfarlane Ltd. delivered by the ECJ on 4 June 2002 in the context of other revisions to the TUPE Regulations following the consultation exercise undertaken at the end of last year.
	The outcome of the consultation and decisions taken in the light of the responses received will be announced in due course.

Industrial Diseases Compensation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the progress being made by the coal health claim with claims for compensation for (a) pneumoconiosis and (b) other non-smoking-related respiratory diseases.

Brian Wilson: Claims for pneumoconiosis are made under a British Coal scheme which commenced in 1974, for which the Department assumed responsibility in April 1998. Under the scheme nearly 87,000 claims have been received. The majority of claims have been settled by way of one-off payments. In some cases, where a claimant is in receipt of reduced earnings allowance and/or incapacity benefit from the DWP, claimants also receive a weekly loss of earnings payment.
	With regards to other non-smoking-related respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis, these claims are handled on a claim by claim personal injury basis by the Department's claims handling agents, IRISC.

Military Exports

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what military supplies have been delivered to (a) India and (b) Pakistan in the last two months.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 20 June 2002
	I refer the right hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Meirionnydd Nant Conwy (Mr. Llwyd) of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 54W.

Military Exports

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what applications for export licences for arms to (a) India and (b) Pakistan have been turned down in the last two months.

Nigel Griffiths: holding answer 20 June 2002
	Between 1 April 2002 and 31 May 2002 the Department of Trade and Industry's Export Control Organisation (ECO) refused two Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) applications to end users in India, and four SIEL applications to end users in Pakistan covering items on the Military List.

Energy Strategy Unit

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which advisory experts from the engineering and scientific community are attached to the Energy Strategy Unit.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 13 June 2002
	I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 27W.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the EU Scientific Committee on cosmetic products and non-food products intended for consumers is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the United Kingdom representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if he will list the items currently under its consideration; if he will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The EU Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for Consumers (SCCNFP) was set up to consider scientific and technical questions concerning consumer health relating to cosmetic products and non-food products intended for the consumer, especially substances used in the preparation of these products, their composition and use, as well as their types of packaging. The UK is represented on the committee by Ian White, Consultant Dermatologist at St. Thomas' Hospital, London. The SCCNFP met approximately 30 times in the last year and the European Commission funds their work. The main focus of the committee's work of late has been consideration of the use of ingredients in cosmetics particularly hair dye ingredients.

Committee Mandates

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the mandate of the Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents is; how many times it has met over the last 12 months; what the UK representation on it is; what the annual cost of its work is to public funds; if she will list the items currently under its consideration; if she will take steps to increase its accountability and transparency to Parliament; and if she will make a statement.

Alistair Darling: I have been asked to reply.
	The purpose of the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limits (SCOEL) is to provide scientific advice to the European Commission (EC) to underpin regulatory proposals on exposure limits for chemicals in the work place, within the framework of the Chemical Agents Directive 98/24/EC (CAD) or the Carcinogens at Work Directive 90/394/EEC. Its mandate is to examine available information on toxicological and other relevant properties of chemical agents, evaluate the relationship between the health effects of the agents and the level of occupational exposure, and where possible recommended values for occupational exposure limits which it believes will protect workers from chemical risks.
	SCOEL has met four times in the past year.
	The EC invites the UK Government to nominate two members for the Committee. All SCOEL members act as independent scientific experts, not as representatives of their national Governments. The current UK nominees are a Senior Toxicologist at the Medical Research Council Institute for Environment and Health, and the head of the Industrial Chemicals Unit, Health and Safety Executive.
	Travel and subsistence costs incurred by SCOEL members are met by the EC. The estimated annual costs for staff time attending meetings and preparatory work are £20,000.
	There are 32 chemical substances currently under consideration by SCOEL. These are:
	acetic acid
	acrylaldehyde
	acrylonitrile
	1,3-butadiene
	2(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol
	carbon disulphide
	chlorobenzene
	chromium, hexavalant
	cresols
	crystalline silica
	cyanamide
	cyclohexane
	diethylamine
	lead
	man-made mineral fibres
	mercury and its inorganic divalent compounds
	2(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol
	methyenedianiline
	naphthalene
	nickel and nickel compounds
	nitrobenzene
	nitrogen monoxide
	nonylphenol
	phenol
	picric acid
	pyridine
	pyrethrum
	sulphuric acid
	tin compounds
	vinyl chloride
	white spirit
	wood dusts.
	The work of SCOEL is reported regularly to the Working Group on European Exposure Limits, a sub-committee of the Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances, which is one of the topic committees advising the Health and Safety Commission. All these committees include representatives of employers, employees, other stakeholding interests and independent experts.
	The EC uses the scientific advice from SCOEL to make proposals for occupational exposure limits. Limits based solely on scientific considerations are considered as adaptations to technical progress, and are incorporated in proposals for Commission directives within the framework of CAD. Limits that take account also of socio-economic factors are included in proposals for Council directives amending CAD or the Carcinogens at Work Directive. Such proposals are referred to the two Parliamentary Scrutiny Committees.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

UK Nationals Detained Abroad

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals are (i) being detained, post conviction and (ii) awaiting trial in (a) Egypt, (b) Jordan, (c) Lebanon, (d) Syria, (e) Turkey, (f) Iraq, (g) Iran, (h) Israel, (i) Algeria, (j) Morocco, (k) Libya, (l) Tunisia, (m) Pakistan, (n) Nigeria, (o) Sudan, (p) Ethiopia, (q) Saudi Arabia, (r) Oman, (s) Yemen, (t) Kuwait and (u) UAE.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 21 June 2002
	The following table gives details of British nationals detained overseas in the countries referred to. As legal systems differ considerably around the world, we have interpreted the 'pre-conviction' cases as those that are generally still subject to the initial local legal procedure. This includes, for example, all detainees on remand, those currently undergoing trial and those whose trials have finished but where sentences have not yet been passed.
	
		
			  Country Number of British nationals in detention pre-conviction Number of British nationals in detention, serving prison sentences 
		
		
			 Egypt 5 1 
			 Jordan 0 0 
			 Lebanon 1 0 
			 Syria 1 0 
			 Turkey 1 1 
			 Iraq 0 0 
			 Iran 0 0 
			 Israel 2 1 
			 Algeria 0 0 
			 Morocco 0 11 
			 Libya 0 0 
			 Tunisia 0 0 
			 Pakistan 3 2 
			 Nigeria 1 0 
			 Sudan 0 0 
			 Ethiopia 2 0 
			 Saudi Arabia 7 3 
			 Oman 2 1 
			 Yemen 0 4 
			 Kuwait 0 1 
			 UAE 8 13

UK Nationals Detained Abroad

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals are (i) in detention awaiting trial and (ii) serving prison sentences in (a) India, (b) Burma, (c) Malaysia, (d) Singapore, (e) Indonesia, (f) China, (g) Vietnam, (h) Laos, (i) Thailand, (j) Cambodia, (k) the Philippines and (l) Papua New Guinea.

Jack Straw: holding answer 21 June 2002
	The following table gives details of those British nationals detained overseas in the above countries. As legal systems differ considerably around the world, we have interpreted the 'pre-conviction' cases as those that are generally still subject to the initial local legal procedure. This includes, for example, detainees on remand, those currently undergoing trial and those whose trials have finished but where sentences have not yet passed.
	
		
			  Country Number of British nationals in detention pre-conviction Number of British nationals in detention serving prison sentences 
		
		
			 India 12 10 
			 Burma 0 0 
			 Malaysia 0 2 
			 Singapore 0 9 
			 Indonesia 4 4 
			 China 0 1 
			 Vietnam 0 1 
			 Laos 0 0 
			 Thailand 9 (9)17 
			 Cambodia 0 1 
			 Philippines 0 (10)17 
			 Papua New Guinea 0 0 
		
	
	(9) five detained awaiting deportation
	(10) three detained awaiting deportation

UK Nationals Detained Abroad

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on giving assistance and representation to UK nationals detained abroad, before and after trial.

Jack Straw: holding answer 21 June 2002
	Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, HMG's consuls will be informed of the detention of a British national by the detaining authorities, if that person requests it. On being informed, the Consul will contact the detainee as soon as possible and if necessary follow this with a visit. One of the Consul's main duties is to ensure that the detainee has legal representation; the Consul can provide the detainee with a list of English speaking local lawyers. The Consul will do whatever he can to ensure that the welfare of the detainee is adequately provided for, that his human rights are respected and that he is not discriminated against because he is a foreigner. He will also raise any specific medical needs with the detaining authorities.
	Consuls visit convicted prisoners at least once a year, and more regularly if prison conditions are poor or if we have particular concerns about a prisoner. The Consul will continue to provide the same support as pre-trial. Furthermore, if we have concerns about a prisoner's health or are concerned that he did not receive a fair trial, we will consider making representations on his behalf or ultimately supporting a plea for clemency. We would look to our panels of pro bono doctors and lawyers to assist in such instances.

UK Nationals Killed Abroad

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK nationals were unlawfully killed in (a) India, (b) Burma, (c) Malaysia, (d) Singapore, (e) Indonesia, (f) China, (g) Vietnam, (h) Laos, (i) Thailand, (j) Cambodia, (k) the Philippines and (l) Papua New Guinea during the period 1 May 2000 to 1 May 2002.

Jack Straw: holding answer 21 June 2002
	Our consular records show that the number of UK nationals reported as unlawfully killed in the following countries during the period 1 May 2000 to 1 May 2002 were:
	(a) India 7
	(b) Burma 0
	(c) Malaysia 1
	(d) Singapore 0
	(e) Indonesia 1
	(f) China 1
	(g) Vietnam 0
	(h) Laos 0
	(i) Thailand 10
	(j) Cambodia 0
	(k) Philippines 2
	(l) Papua New Guinea 1.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he pressed for the extension of the travel ban list of Zimbabweans supporting President Mugabe's regime at the recent GAC meeting of 17 to 18 June.

Jack Straw: holding answer 21 June. 2002
	The principal objective at the 17 June Council was to review the EU high-level Troika visit to the SADC region from 20 to 22 May. In its conclusions, the Council expressed its continued concern at the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe. The Council will review the targeted measures against Zimbabwe at its meeting on 22 July.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Zimbabwean Government concerning surveillance and the British High Commissioner in Harare.

Jack Straw: The British High Commission has asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Harare for assurances that they do not share the views expressed in the official Zimbabwean press on this matter, and that British High Commission staff will continue to enjoy the full protection to which they are entitled. We are awaiting a response.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British High Commission staff based in Harare are entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Jack Straw: Fourteen UK-based members of staff at the British High Commission and seven members of the DfID Central Africa office in Harare, and their resident spouses, are entitled to diplomatic immunity.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to increase security (a) at the British High Commission and (b) for High Commission staff based in Harare.

Jack Straw: Security of High Commission staff and the High Commission itself is kept under regular and close review. It would not be appropriate for me to list individual measures taken in recent months.

Zimbabwe

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 17 June, Official Report, column 5W, on the High Commission, Harare, which members of the Zimbabwean Government attended the Jubilee celebrations at the High Commission.

Jack Straw: None.

Arms Trade

Ann Clwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether permission was (a) sought and (b) given, by his Department for the re-export of MP5 submachine guns by MKEK (Turkey) to Indonesia in 1999.

Mike O'Brien: No such permission has either been sought or given by my Department. A licence is not required from the British Government in order to export items from Turkey to Indonesia.

Nelson Mandela

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings were held between Government officials and Nelson Mandela during his recent visit to the UK to see Mr. Abdul Bassett al-Megrahi.

Jack Straw: Former President Nelson Mandela made a private visit to the UK on 9–10 June, during which time he visited Mr. Abdel Baset Al-Megrahi in Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow.
	Mr. Mandela met no Government officials other than the Governor of Barlinnie Prison and his staff, and the Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service.

India/Pakistan

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evacuation plans there are for British nationals in India and Pakistan if hostilities break out.

Mike O'Brien: holding reply 13 June 2002
	We have contingency plans for India and Pakistan, as we do for more than 100 other countries. We keep these plans under constant review. We do not discuss the detail of these plans in public, as doing so may make their implementation more difficult.

Mr. Ian Stillman

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has taken to assist Mr. Ian Stillman in India.

Mike O'Brien: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised Mr. Stillman's case with the Indian Home and Foreign Ministers on 29 May 2002 during his recent visit to India. He asked that Mr. Stillman's application for transfer to a prison in Chennai be considered favourably and quickly. He also raised our concern about a Supreme Court Judge's comments about the disabled, made in connection with Mr. Stillman's case, on 6 May 2002.
	Our High Commission in New Delhi continues to do all it can to ensure that the Indian authorities are meeting Mr. Stillman's welfare requirements adequately.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Coroners Courts

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his review of the workings of coroners courts.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 22 January 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) on 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 1242W.

Data Protection

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with respect to the criminal conviction certificates to be issued by the Criminal Records Bureau, whether he will issue advice to employers requesting access to such certificates of job applicants; whether he plans to extend the statutory Code of Practice which cover other certificates to the criminal conviction certificate; whether he has undertaken research into the impact of the certificate on recidivism; if he will describe the activities, other than employment and visa applications, where the criminal conviction certificate is likely to be used; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: While it is possible that uses will be perceived for them in other circumstances, criminal conviction certificates (or Basic Disclosures, as they will be termed) are essentially intended for the purpose of employment checks, and also in connection with visa applications (instead of the use of the right of subject access under the Data Protection Act 1998). It is essential that people are not unfairly discriminated against because of information revealed in Basic Disclosures that they have been convicted in the past—not least because getting and holding down a regular job is likely to be a positive factor in preventing re-offending. In this, we have taken careful note of the results of recent research published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the National Institute for Economic and Social Research. The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) will therefore be producing a range of advice urging employers to treat such information in a fair and reasonable manner. The CRB is also continuing to work closely with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the National Association of Care and Resettlement of Offenders (Nacro) on the production of guidance for employers. The current provision on a statutory Code of Practice applies only to higher-level Disclosures. We shall consider making provision to cover Basic Disclosures when there is a suitable opportunity. Meanwhile, the CRB has been working on an equivalent "good practice guide".

Data Protection

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles' details are recorded on the Police National Computer; what data categories describe these vehicles and what types of markers are used in connection with vehicles; and how many vehicles (a) carry a particular marker and (b) fall within a particular category.

John Denham: As of 23 May 2002 the estimated number of vehicles registered on the Police National Computer (PNC) database was 50,444,691. The database includes information on the make of the car, the model code, the colour, body type and engine size.
	The PNC database stores information, which identifies each vehicle. For example there are four groups, which are used as types of markers, and the categories associated with these markers are as follows:
	Vehicle state markers
	Scrapped
	Notification of a total loss of a vehicle by an insurer (V23) marked as likely to be an insurance loss
	Statutory of Road Notification (SORN) is current
	Vehicle Excise Licence (VEL) expired
	VEL is void.
	Exceptional characteristics
	Foreign vehicle
	A direct export
	A personal export
	Diplomatic privilege
	A cherished transfer
	A permanently exported vehicle.
	Of interest
	Stolen
	Police eyes only
	Record query
	Driving Vehicle Licence Agency (DVLA)-related status
	Notified as Void by DVLA
	DVLA notified that keeper has changed by owner
	DVLA notified of a keeper has changed by police/local authority
	The vehicle is In Trade
	If the vehicle has not been registered at DVLA (i.e. a V5 registration document has not been issued for it).
	Statistics are not maintained on either markers or the number of vehicles in each category due to the dynamic nature of the database. In addition to the 'markers' above, vehicles held on the PNC have 'Police Interest' reports in the following categories: LOS (lost/stolen), FOU (found), INF (information), SEE (seen and checked), COR (correction), REM (removed), DES (destroyed).
	The number of vehicles with 'Police Interest' reports as at 23 May 2002 was 894,549.

Criminal Injuries Compensation Board

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by what date the backlog team set up by the Home Office Pay and Pensions Service will have dealt with all requests for pay details from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board in respect of its employees and pensioners which were outstanding on 21 May.

Hilary Benn: Having checked through the backlog of cases currently being dealt with by Special Projects team, there are 12 pay queries relating to staff of the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel (CICAP). We aim to have completed the work on these queries by the end of June, subject to Pay Service being able to access all information needed to resolve them.

Asylum Accommodation

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what provision he plans to make for the education of children of staff employed at the proposed Throckmorton asylum accommodation centres.

Beverley Hughes: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 12 June 2002, Official Report, column 1307W.

Identification Parades

John Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the policy is on the reimbursement of loss of earnings to witnesses taking time to attend identification parades; and whether that policy permits a degree of discretion.

John Denham: This is an operational matter for police forces and no central guidance is issued. It is for the force to decide in the individual circumstances of the case whether to provide a witness attending an identity parade with compensation for loss of earnings. The increased use of video identification parades will help to minimise delays in the identification process and reduce burdens on witnesses' time.

Extradition

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent requests have been made by foreign Governments of the UK Government for extradition of named individuals; and what Her Majesty's Government's response has been.

David Blunkett: In the year to 31 March 2002, the United Kingdom received 130 1 extradition requests. In the same period, the outcome 2 of cases decided was as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Fugitives surrendered 58 
			 Requests withdrawn 25 
			 Fugitives discharged at court 13 
			 Requests refused by Secretary of State (13)5 
		
	
	(11) The number excludes requests governed by the backing of warrants regime in place as between the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland. Those figures are not collected centrally. The number also excludes requests made directly to Scottish Ministers.
	(12) Outcomes in any given year do not necessarily correspond to the number of requests received.
	(13) Those five requests were from countries with which the UK has no general extradition arrangements.
	Consideration of remaining request is continuing.

Community Policing

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will define operational matters with regard to community policing; and what guidance he issues on community policing.

John Denham: I have no current plans to define operational requirements or to issue any guidance in relation to community policing. Future priorities for guidance will be set out in the National Policy Plan, subject to parliamentary approval.
	The Government are determined to maximise the amount of time police officers spend in the community. We are taking steps in the Police Reform Bill to empower support staff to carry out those functions which prevent police officers from leaving the police station and we are encouraging Basic Command Unit Commanders to take innovative steps to increase the visibility of their officers. Also, the Policing Bureaucracy Taskforce, chaired by Sir David O'Dowd, is looking at how we can cut unnecessary bureaucracy in the police service.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he will reply to the letter to him dated 22 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Abdul Hamid Afzali;
	(2)  when he will reply to the letter to him dated 23 April from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Azad Bakhat.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 20 June 2002.

Correspondence

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has sent to chief constables about administrative matters since 7 June 2001.

John Denham: Since 7 June 2001, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has sent one letter about an administrative matter which was addressed to all chief constables.

Competitive Tendering

Tim Collins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the last 12 months the requirement to engage in a competitive tendering process has been waived by his Department due to national security obligations under paragraph 6(h) of the supply regulations.

David Blunkett: In the last 12 months the Home Department has waived the competitive tendering process due to national security obligations under the supply regulations on three occasions.

Burglaries

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the proportion of retail premises which were burgled in (a) Essex and (b) England in the last 12 months.

John Denham: The Home Department does not collect separate information about the number of burglaries in retail premises. The numbers of offences of burglary in non-residential properties (which include retail premises) recorded by the police in Essex and England for the 12 months ended 31 March 2001 are given in the table. Both numbers have fallen compared to the previous year.
	
		
			   Non-residential burglaries  
			 Geographical area Number Percentage change from previous year 
		
		
			 Essex 9,452 -4 
			 England 412,310 -7 
		
	
	The survey of crime affecting retailers and manufacturers announced by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 23 April will provide up to date information on crimes against retailers. The results are expected to be available next spring.

Terrorism

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security measures are being taken to prevent terrorists from (a) smuggling into the United Kingdom a dirty bomb and (b) detonating such a device.

David Blunkett: holding answer 19 June 2002
	Since the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Government have conducted a thorough comprehensive review of all preventative and protective measures to counter terrorism, including the possibilities to which my hon. Friend refers. We have built upon the plans which we have developed over a period of years for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats, including those which might involve the threatened or actual use of radiological or nuclear materials. For security reasons, it is not our policy to disclose details of these plans.
	Additional resources that I announced following the Budget on 17 April 2002 have assisted in expanding the scope and effectiveness of these measures.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Parades Commission

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make an announcement on the Parades Commission's annual report.

John Reid: The Parades Commission's fourth annual report, covering the operation of the commission over the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002, was published on 20 June. Copies have been placed in the Library.

Car Crime

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by what means he monitors joyriding as a specific aspect of vehicle crime; what recent studies have been conducted on the perpetrators of this crime; and how many (a) arrests and (b) prosecutions have been effected over the last 12 month period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The PSNI considers the term "joyriders" an inappropriate one to describe car thieves. The terms that best describe the activities of car thieves are: "casual car theft"—where the opportunist criminal is casual about the car that they are intending to take, and will take any vehicle which is found to be vulnerable; "professional car theft"—where the organised criminal targets a specific make, model, specification and colour of car or possibly a specific car.
	Casual car crime is not monitored as a specific aspect of vehicle crime.
	There is a growing understanding that many cars are not stolen but are in fact "runabouts". A "runabout" is an old vehicle, without current licence, normally uninsured, which has changed ownership several times since the last notification to DVLNI. These vehicles offer significantly less risk to drivers than the use of stolen vehicles, and it appears that many of the vehicles being used by "casual car thieves" are not stolen, but are "runabouts".
	Concerned about the uses to which "runabouts" are put, the PSNI, from 19 March to 16 June 2002, undertook an operation known as "Clean Up". A substantial number of "runabouts" were seized. Some 943 vehicles were seized and owners reclaimed 145. Owners had to produce a vehicle licence or leave a surety of £120 until they produced a vehicle licence. To date 550 "runabouts" have been destroyed and the balance will also be destroyed over the next few weeks, except for a small number, perhaps 20–30, which are considered suitable for auction. The registration numbers, makes and models of all seized vehicles were forwarded to the Motor Insurance Information Centre who have to date not found any insured vehicles. The initial results of the operation found:
	A 25 per cent. reduction in road traffic collisions in West Belfast District Command Unit during the six weeks of the operation (measured against the preceding six weeks, and the same six weeks the previous year);
	Fire service identified a 40 per cent. reduction in arson of motor vehicles when measured against the preceding six weeks of operation "Clean Up" and a reduction of 24 per cent. when measured against the same six weeks the previous year;
	Following operation "Clean Up" there has been a 50 per cent. reduction in thefts from vehicles in the Belfast region.
	It is anticipated that operation "Clean Up" may result in a change in the method of changing the ownership of vehicles.
	Information on the number of arrests and prosecutions for "joyriding" is not available but I would refer the hon. Member to the following table which provides the recorded theft of vehicles/unauthorised taking offences and clearance rates for 2000–01.
	
		
			  Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 Recorded 10,806 
			 Percentage cleared 11.4

Car Crime

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the (a) level of car ownership, (b) incidence of vehicle thefts, (c) level of stolen vehicle recoveries and (d) incidence of normal residence of individuals prosecuted for car theft was in each policing district in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: The Department of Environment (NI) has advised that the level of car ownership in Northern Ireland for the calendar year 2000 was 622,488 out of an overall figure of 730,730 for vehicle ownership.
	The table shows by district command units, the recorded number of theft of vehicles/unauthorised taking of vehicles and the percentage cleared in the year 2000–01.
	Information on the incidence of normal residence of individuals prosecuted for car theft by policing district is not available.
	
		Theft of vehicle/unauthorised taking offences recorded and percentage cleared 2000–01
		
			  Recorded Percentage cleared 
		
		
			 Newtownabbey 402 8.5 
			 Belfast South 2,312 7.8 
			 Carrickfergus 119 10.1 
			 Belfast North 1,023 9.8 
			 Belfast West 1,180 7.9 
			 Antrim 254 15.0 
			 Lisburn 1,223 7.8 
			 Castlereagh 325 9.2 
			 Belfast East 587 10.9 
			 North Down 264 6.8 
			 Newry and Mourne 379 16.6 
			 Craigavon 374 20.9 
			 Dungannon and South Tyrone 182 19.8 
			 Downpatrick 335 12.2 
			 Newtownards 305 12.1 
			 Cookstown 75 22.7 
			 Armagh 141 29.1 
			 Banbridge 100 20.0 
			 Magherafelt 90 17.8 
			 Larne 51 17.6 
			 Moyle 33 24.2 
			 Ballymena 117 33.3 
			 Ballymoney 44 13.6 
			 Limavady 110 22.7 
			 Omagh 151 10.6 
			 Coleraine 154 14.9 
			 Strabane 95 21.1 
			 Fermanagh 126 21.4 
			 Foyle 255 18.8 
			 Northern Ireland 10,806 11.4

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press releases were issued by his Department (a) in each month between May and December 1997 and (b) in each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is as follows.
	
		(a) Between May and December 1997
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 May 64 
			 June 114 
			 July 80 
			 August 173 
			 September 98 
			 October 135 
			 November 97 
			 December 83 
			  
			 Total 844 
		
	
	
		(b) In each year from 1998 to 2001 inclusive
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1998 1,313 
			 1999 1,055 
			 2000 231 
			 2001 248

Press Releases

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2002.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Between January and May 2002
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 January 25 
			 February 28 
			 March 27 
			 Aril 31 
			 May(14) 30 
		
	
	(14) To date

Domestic Violence/Sexual Attacks

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what specialist resources are available for the investigation of domestic violence and sexual attacks; what action has been taken in this area in the past three years for (a) research, (b) education; (c) crime prevention and (d) officer training; and how many staff and how many staff hours were employed in these areas, and at what cost, in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: The PSNI currently has 35 Domestic Violence Liaison Officers. All received initial training in domestic violence procedures which was followed up during 2000 by a further accredited course from the university of Teesside through which each officer gained a certificate in Professional Policing (Domestic Violence). Each officer performs a minimum 40 hour week, working on a nine-to-five basis.
	The work of these officers supports the front-line uniform response officers who are required to take decisive action at the scene of a domestic dispute. In addition, it is hoped that by autumn 2002 the PSNI will have completed work to enable uniform officers to access an Integrated Crime Information System (ICIS) database containing background information surrounding a potential violent incident prior to arrival at the scene.
	The role of the Domestic Violence Officer is currently under review and it is intended that external agencies will be consulted as a basis of determining a multi-agency perspective on how to improve the service offered to victims of domestic violence. The PSNI makes use of research undertaken by its partners in the multi agency response to the problem.
	Leaflets and posters have also been distributed by the PSNI throughout Northern Ireland on domestic violence. These have recently been translated into ethnic minority languages and are available in various areas of public contact.
	All PSNI officers receive Child Abuse and Rape Enquiry (CARE) training. CARE unit detectives receive specialist training on child abuse and rape trauma syndrome. There are presently 12 CARE units, including five CARE suites staffed by a total of 85 highly trained officers. The CARE suites provide a non-threatening environment for the interview of children, comfortable interview rooms for victims of sexual offences and well equipped medical facilities where forensic medical officers can carry out examinations.
	The Police Service of Northern Ireland, through its CARE Co-ordinator, carries out research into the various aspects of both child abuse and sexual offending. It works in liaison with the ACPO portfolio holders in relation to the development of educational lessons within the service provision.
	In addition to the staff employed in CARE units, other officers from District Command Units and CID undertake work on sexual attacks.
	Due to the variety of staff who provide support in both these areas of police work information regarding the number of staff hours and staff costs could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

TREASURY

National Statistics

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will update his answer of 20 July 2001, Official Report, column 559W, on national statistics, to cover financial year 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Matthew Taylor, dated 24 June 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question about which statistical series National Statistics ceased collecting, calculating and publishing in the financial year 2001. (60417)
	The scope of National Statistics is evolving and expanding and their coverage sometimes changes to reflect changes in the underlying administrative systems (e.g. the tax systems) on which some of the statistics are based. During 2001 the following National Statistics series were removed from publication for mainly operational reasons:
	(i) Department for Education and Skills
	Statistical Bulletin—Youth Cohort Study. Publication has ceased because this information is now published in three Statistical First Releases.
	Statistical Volume—Statistics of Education: Student Support, England and Wales. Publication has ceased because the data are now published in two Statistical First Releases and on the Internet.
	(ii) Home Office
	Jury Disqualifications—this information is no longer collected. This followed an assessment of their fitness for purpose with key stakeholders.
	Deaths Reported to Coroners and Scientific Procedures on Living Animals are still collected but have been withdrawn from scope following a review of all Home Office National Statistics.
	Section 95 (Compendia)—this publication was withdrawn from scope and the data collected are now available on the Internet.
	(iii) Department for Work and Pensions
	Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up—the calculation and release of Family Credit take-up statistics previously contained within this publication has ceased because the benefit was replaced by Working Families Tax Credit.
	(iv) Office for National Statistics
	Jobcentre Plus vacancy statistics—this series has been suspended because of a discontinuity caused by the roll-out of Employer Direct. The figures will be reinstated at the earliest opportunity.
	(v) Department for International Development
	Oda/GNI ratio—data is still collected but has been withdrawn from scope.
	Development Counts—still produced but has been withdrawn from scope as the publication is not under the editorial control of the statistics department.

EU Stability Pact

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he last assessed the extent to which planned public expenditure would need to be reduced to comply with the EU stability pact; and what his conclusion was.

Ruth Kelly: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Mr. Flight) on 30 April 2002, Official Report, column 734W.

Bank Notes

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) financial advantages he derives and (b) costs he incurs from the diversity of bodies able to issue bank notes in Northern Ireland; and what bodies regulate issuing banks.

Ruth Kelly: The Exchequer benefits from not bearing the printing and destruction costs associated with non- Bank of England sterling notes in circulation. However, the Exchequer also suffers a reduction in seignorage income, as the legislation does not require the issuing banks to wholly back their note issue with Bank of England notes. The Inland Revenue Stamp Office monitors the level of issuance by these banks.

Bank Notes

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many bank notes of each denomination from each issuing bank were in circulation in Northern Ireland on the last day for which information is available.

Ruth Kelly: Values of the notes in circulation for each of the issuing banks, as at 8 June 2002, are as follows:
	
		£ 
		
			 Bank Value(15) Value(16) Total 
		
		
			 Bank of Ireland 482,688,297 278,105 482,966,402 
			 Ulster Bank 257,892,500 70,076 257,962,576 
			 Northern Bank 267,053,976 439,105 267,493,081 
			 First Trust Bank 244,908,000 — 244,908,000 
		
	
	(15) Value of notes of £5 and over in circulation.
	(16) Value of notes of £5 and under in circulation.
	Details of the denominational breakdown of notes in circulation are not provided to the authorities.
	Notes:
	In addition, notes issued by the National Bank are not in active circulation any longer. The amount outstanding is £61,507.

Bee Keeping

Colin Breed: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exclude the bee keeping industry from (a) insurance premium tax, (b) filing fees to the Financial Services Authority and (c) the Financial Services Compensation Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Insurance Premium Tax is a consequence of writing contracts of general insurance and it applies to almost all general insurance where the risk is in the UK.
	The FSA are aware of the concerns of the Bee Diseases Insurance Limited and discussions are ongoing.

Aviation Insurance

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the level of Government support for aviation insurance.

Ruth Kelly: UK airlines, airports and other service providers can purchase third party war and terrorism cover from the Troika insurance scheme, set up and reinsured by the Government, above a primary layer purchased in the commercial market, up to the level enjoyed before commercial cover was cancelled following the terrorist attacks in the US on 11 September, to a limit of US $2 billion.

EU Enlargement

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment his Department has made of the impact of enlargement of the EU on the UK economy.

Ruth Kelly: The Department has not made its own study of the impact of EU enlargement on the United Kingdom economy. However, independent economic studies by the European Roundtable of Industrialists and the Centre for Economic Policy Reform show that EU enlargement will increase UK GDP by £1.75 billion per year and create 300,000 jobs within the EU-15. Copies of these reports are in the House of Commons Library.

Wages

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the (a) average wage and (b) median wage for (i) men and (ii) women in each year since 1997.

Ruth Kelly: The information falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Brian Jenkins, dated 24 June 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the average and median earnings since 1997. (63673)
	The table below gives the information you require.
	
		£ 
		
			  Men Women  
			 April each year Average Median Average Median 
		
		
			 1997 408.70 349.70 297.20 260.40 
			 1998 428.80 363.70 310.30 270.40 
			 1999 444.30 374.80 327.90 285.40 
			 2000 464.10 389.70 343.70 296.70 
			 2001 490.50 407.70 366.80 313.20 
		
	
	The data relate to full-time employees on adult rates whose pay was not affected by any absence.

Gold Reserves

John Whittingdale: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been raised from the sale of gold reserves since 1997; and what the value of the gold would be at today's prices.

Ruth Kelly: The 395 tonnes of gold sold by the Government, as part of the restructuring of the United Kingdom's foreign currency reserves announced in May 1999, raised proceeds of $3.5 billion (around £2.4 billion at exchange rates at close on 19 June), which have been invested in interest-bearing foreign currency assets. At the price of gold at close on 19 June the 395 tonnes of gold would be valued at $4.1 billion (around £2.7 billion at exchange rates at close on 19 June).

Endowment Mortgages

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the proportion of people with endowment mortgages who have policies which are unlikely to pay off the loan.

Ruth Kelly: The Association of British Insurers reported on 13 May 2002 that there is now a significant or high risk that 61 per cent. of the current 10.2 million mortgage endowments (covering 6 million households) will not pay out enough to pay off the target sum, usually the amount of the mortgage loan. This is based on the first 1.25 million re-projection letters and cannot be taken as a representative sample. The percentages are likely to change.
	FSA research conducted in spring 2001 indicated that only three out of 10 policyholders had taken action to remedy their potential shortfall. Of the seven out of 10 households that have taken no action, around half had good reasons. For example, they had repaid the loan by other means and were continuing to fund the endowment as a savings vehicle.

Endowment Mortgages

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much compensation has been given to consumers who were mis-sold endowment mortgages since 1992.

Ruth Kelly: Since 1988, when the system of financial service regulation came into force under the Financial Services Act 1986, and up until the end of the first quarter 2002, some £151 million in compensation has been paid to endowment policyholders following the complaints process. In addition, and as a result of the Financial Services Authority's (FSA) regulatory activities, some 20 firms have agreed proactively to compensate policyholders who were mis-sold their policies. This involves around 218,000 in policies, leading to total compensation of around £315 million due to be paid.

Demographic Change (London)

Iain Coleman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Government's projection is for demographic change in London over the next (a) five years and (b) 10 years for the age groups (i) 0 to four, (ii) five to 10, (iii) 11 to 15 and (iv) 16 to 19 years; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Kidgell to Mr. Iain Coleman, dated 24 June 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the projected demographic change in London over the next five and 10 year period for people under the age of 20. I am replying in his absence. (64121)
	The attached table shows the projected population in each age group for each year from 2002 to 2012 in the london Government Office Region. The figures are derived from the 1996-based projections published by the Office for National Statistics in the volume Subnational Population Projections, series PP3 No. 10.
	
		Mid 1996-based population projections 2002 to 2012 for all persons under 20 years of age—London GOR -- thousands
		
			 Age group 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 
		
		
			 0 to 4 years 492.5 490.2 487.3 484.4 481.6 479.1 477.1 475.8 475.3 475.5 476.4 
			 5 to 10 years 568.8 565.1 563.4 560.3 558.3 556.2 552.5 549.7 546.5 543.3 540.4 
			 11 to 15 years 442.9 450.4 452.3 455.1 456.4 452.4 450.3 448.6 446.0 444.6 443.1 
			 16 to 29 years 339.9 344.7 353.8 359.1 364.3 372.6 376.2 378.0 380.5 376.7 373.1 
		
	
	Source:
	ONS

Drug-related Deaths

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths there were in each of the last 10 years in (a) Buckinghamshire, (b) Chesham and Amersham and (c) the UK from (i) heroin overdose, (ii) other drug overdose and (iii) suicide other than by a drugs overdose.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from John Kidgell to Cheryl Gillan, dated 24 June 2002
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent question concerning how many deaths there were in each of the last 10 years in (a) Buckinghamshire, (b) Chesham and Amersham and (c) the UK from (i) heroin overdose, (ii) other drug overdose and (iii) suicide other than by a drugs overdose. I am replying in his absence. (62792)
	Figures for deaths related to drug poisoning are currently available for 1993 to 2000 for England and Wales. Information for the United Kingdom as a whole could not be collated on a comparable basis in the time available. The information requested is given for 1993 to 2000 in the attached table.
	
		Deaths related to drug poisoning(17), and suicides other than by drugs overdose(18), England and Wales 1993 to 2000(19) -- Number of deaths
		
			   1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 
		
		
			 (a) Buckinghamshire county(20) 
			 Drugs mentioned on the death certificate 
			 (i)(a) heroin/morphine(21) only (22)— (23)— (22)— (23)— (23)— (23)— 3 (23)— 
			 (i)(b) heroin/morphine(21) with other drugs (22)— (23)— (22)— (22)— (23)— (23)— (22)— (22)— 
			 (ii) other drugs (heroin/morphine(21) not mentioned) 6 13 9 11 15 15 10 12 
			 Suicide other than by drugs overdose 42 37 26 23 35 36 28 33 
			 (b) Chesham and Amersham(24) 
			 Drugs mentioned on the death certificate 
			 (i)(a) heroin/morphine(21) (22)— (22)— (22)— (22)— (23)— (22)— (22)— (22)— 
			 (i)(b) heroin/morphine(21) with other drugs (22)— (22)— (22)— (22)— (22)— (22)— (22)— (22)— 
			 (ii) other drugs (heroin/morphine(21) not mentioned) 3 3 (23)— (23)— 5 3 (22)— 3 
			 Suicide other than by drugs overdose 8 8 6 (23)— 7 5 4 4 
			  
			 (c) England and Wales 
			 Drugs mentioned on the death certificate 
			 (i)(a) heroin/morphine(21) only 126 197 263 353 332 468 575 716 
			 (i)(b) heroin/morphine(21) with other drugs 61 80 94 113 113 178 179 210 
			 (ii) other drugs (heroin/morphine(21) not mentioned) 2,065 2,127 2,206 2,255 2,413 2,276 2,189 2,042 
			 Suicide other than by drugs overdose 3,930 3,818 3,771 3,554 3,526 3,799 3,836 3,643 
		
	
	(17) Selected using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision:
	292 (drug psychoses);
	304 (drug dependence);
	305.2—305.9 (nondependent abuse of drugs);
	E850—E858 (accidental poisoning by drugs, medicaments and biologicals);
	E950.0—E950.5 (suicide and self-inflicted poisoning by solid or liquid substances);
	E980.0—E980.5 (poisoning by solid or liquid substances, undetermined whether accidentally or purposely inflicted);
	E962.0 (assault by poisoning—drugs and medicaments).
	(18) Selected using the following codes from the International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision: E950.6—E959, E980.6—E989 excluding E988.8.
	(19) Data are for occurrences of death per calendar year.
	(20) Data are for residents of Buckinghamshire county, based on geographic boundaries as at 2001. The figures therefore exclude data for Milton Keynes, which became a unitary authority in 1997.
	(21) As heroin breaks down in the body into morphine, the latter may be detected at post mortem and recorded on the death certificate.
	(22) Zero deaths.
	(23) Less than three deaths.
	(24) Data are for residents of Chesham and Amersham parliamentary constituency based on geographic boundaries as at 2001.

Orphan Funds

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what steps he is taking to arrange discussions with the assurance sector concerning their orphan funds;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the assurance sector concerning the use of orphan assets in the life assurance sector in the United Kingdom;
	(3)  when he last met representatives of the insurance sector to discuss the use of orphan funds.

Ruth Kelly: Treasury Ministers have contacts with insurance companies and their representatives form time to time to discuss a wide range of issues.

Historic Buildings (VAT)

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to extend the reduction of VAT on the renovation and repair of historic buildings.

John Healey: Reduced rate items are limited by agreements with our European partners. EC law allows a reduced rate of VAT for works to housing, but does not permit a reduced rate for works to other types of building. However, in response to representations made by the Government, the European Commission has indicated that it will consider a reduced rate of VAT for listed places of worship in their general review of the reduced rates, which is due to take place in 2003.

Prescriptions

David Heyes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will review the prescription pre-payment certificate scheme with reference to the evidence cited in paragraph 6.74 in the Wanless report.

David Lammy: holding answer 10 June 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Wanless report noted that 85 per cent. of prescriptions are dispensed free of charge and that the level of charges for those who have to pay is capped by the pre-payment certificate arrangements. We are taking steps to make pre-payment certificates more accessible. From 1 October, the prescription pricing authority (PPA) will take responsibility for issuing these certificates. The application form will be redesigned and carry the PPA's address, all patient material will be revised and pharmacists will be encouraged to publicise the availability of prescription pre-payment certificates. Once the new arrangements are in place, we can examine the opportunities for further improvements to access.

LORD CHANCELLOR

King Edward VIII

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to her answers of 10 and 11 June 2002, refs. 57217 and 57416, on the abdication of King Edward VIII, if she will list the categories of official papers relating to the abdication of King Edward VIII that will be reviewed by Departments.

Rosie Winterton: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him on 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 118W. It is hoped that the results of the review, including the categories of official papers held by Departments, will be known and put into effect by the end of the year.

King Edward VIII

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, pursuant to her answers of 10 and 11 June, refs. 57217 and 57416, on the abdication of King Edward VIII, if she will list which official papers relating to the abdication of King Edward VIII have not yet been released.

Rosie Winterton: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to him on 11 June 2002, Official Report, column 118W.
	It is hoped that the results of the review, including a list of official papers held by Departments will be known and put into effect by the end of the year.

Computers

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what measures are (a) in place and (b) under discussion in her Department in order to ensure compliance with the WEE directive.

Yvette Cooper: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Minister of State for the Department of Trade and Industry on 12 June 2002.

Land Registry

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans she has to implement the recommendation contained in the Land Registry's Quinquennial Review to compel the owners of property to declare the true and beneficial owners of property in the Land Registry; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Land Registry and the Lord Chancellor's Department will jointly consider and consult other Government Departments on the recommendation by autumn 2003. Depending on the outcome of that consultation and ministerial agreement they will consult stakeholders and the public on the principles and details by spring 2004 and announce the results of the consultation by autumn 2004.

Land Registry

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the inter-departmental steering group to take forward the proposals contained in the Land Registry Quinquennial Review has met since June 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The inter-departmental steering group has met on seven occasions: 23 July, 17 September, 25 October, 20 November 2001 and 9 January, 19 March and 27 May 2002.

Land Registry

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans are being formulated by the Land Registry to make public a list of previous owners for each property registered by the Land Registry; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Section 69 of the Land Registration Act 2002, which is likely to be brought into force in the autumn of next year, provides that the chief land registrar may, on application, provide information about the history of a registered title. Rules making provision about applications for the exercise of this power are currently being drafted and will be the subject of public consultation, as part of a wider consultation exercise, later in the summer.

Judiciary

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement as to the change in arrangements concerning the advertising of vacant posts in the judiciary.

Rosie Winterton: My noble and learned Friend, the Lord Chancellor, is committed to a system of judicial appointments that is fair to applicants and ensures that vacancies are filled promptly by candidates who best meet the published criteria. To this end, he published a consultation paper in April of this year on ways in which the selection procedures for the Circuit Bench and Recordership might be restructured or streamlined. Competitions for these appointments in 2002–03 have identified more suitable candidates than there are vacancies. The competitions for these appointments that would normally have begun in April 2002 have therefore been suspended for between six and 18 months. Any new vacancies that arise during this period will be made from reserve lists.
	Similarly, in respect of the High Court Bench, there are many suitable candidates remaining from the 2000 selection round. Very few vacancies are expected over the next year. In the circumstances it would be both inappropriate and impracticable to mount a full scale recruitment exercise. The Lord Chancellor has, however, decided that people with appropriate judicial experience should not be denied the opportunity to be considered for these vacancies. Some 2000 holders of judicial office have therefore been invited to express interest in these appointments.

Judiciary

Bob Spink: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what proportion of (a) judges, (b) recorders and (c) assistant recorders are (i) women and (ii) non-white Caucasian.

Rosie Winterton: As at 1 May 2002 all 107 High Court judges were of white origin, six of whom were women. The following table provides information on the Circuit Bench, District Bench and Recorders as at 1 May 2002. It shows the total number, the number and proportion of women judges and those judges who have stated on an ethnic monitoring questionnaire that they are of white origin. Applicants and part-time judges whose appointments have been renewed are asked to complete a questionnaire about their ethnic origin, but they are not obliged to do so. Many of those who have been appointed for some years will not have been asked to complete an ethnic origin questionnaire. The post of Assistant Recorder was abolished in April 2000 and all Assistant Recorders became Recorders.
	Judicial appointments statistics, including women and ethnic minorities appointments, are published regularly on the LCD website (www.lcd.gov.uk).
	
		
			  Total Women Have stated they are of white origin Have not completed an ethnic origin questionnaire 
		
		
			 Circuit judges 610 57 350 253 
			 Percentage  9.3 57.4  
			 Recorders 1,324 162 1,185 100 
			 Percentage  12.2 89.5  
			 District judges 435 80 240 183 
			 Percentage  18.4 55.2  
			 Deputy District judges 774 155 579 183 
			 Percentage  20 74.8  
			 District judges magistrates courts 103 20 89 11 
			 Percentage  19.4 86.4  
			 Deputy District judges magistrates courts 152 30 138 5 
			 Percentage  19.7 90.8

Ethnic Minority Events

Keith Vaz: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many ethnic minority events (a) she and (b) her Ministers have attended since 7 June 2001.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not separately classify or record events as being ethnic minority events. However, since 7 June 2001 the Lord Chancellor has attended one event and his Ministers have attended 17 events where an ethnic minority issue was integral to the purpose, identity and character of the event.

Wigs

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what recent discussions she has had with the judiciary concerning the wearing of wigs in court.

Rosie Winterton: Following a public opinion survey which we will shortly be conducting in England and Wales, the Lord Chancellor will issue a consultation paper containing proposals on possible alternatives to the current modes of court dress for judges, lawyers and court staff. The Lord Chancellor is in regular contact with the Lord Chief Justice and the other Heads of Division and has kept them informed on the progress of the project.

Youth Courts

Kate Hoey: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans the Department has to reduce time spent in the pursuit of evidence and documentation in youth courts.

Yvette Cooper: A number of recent initiatives are under way that will impact on timeliness in youth court cases, for example, measures are being developed to admit in evidence digital photographs, which have been used instead of a physical identification parade. My Department is also working with the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the Law Society and others to increase the use of technology to transmit documentation electronically and to present digital images in court.

CABINET OFFICE

Staff Training

John Bercow: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much the Department has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: For details of my Department's spend on staff training and development for the years 1997–98 to 2000–01, I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie) gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham on 15 May 2002, column 715W.
	Estimated expenditure on staff training and development in 2001–02 is £4,025,000 and is broken down as follows:
	
		
			  £ thousand 
		
		
			 Core Cabinet Office 1,603 
			 Central Office of Information (25)588 
			 Government Office for the regions 1,666 
			 Centre for Management and Policy Studies 168 
		
	
	(25) Includes training partly funded by the Civil Service Modernisation Fund
	The 2001–02 Resource Account is undergoing final adjustments and awaiting audit. As a result, the figures quoted are subject to change.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Explosives

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when the final draft consultation on Manufacturing and Storage of Explosives Regulations will be completed; when the regulations will be published with supporting evidence; under what powers the regulations will be implemented; and whether they will comply with the Health and Safety Executive's Mission Statement.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Health and Safety Commission on policy on the safety of the manufacture and storage of explosives.
	In March, the Health and Safety Commission published a consultation document setting out its proposals for new regulations on the manufacture and storage of explosives. The consultation period has just ended. The Health and Safety Executive will be considering the responses to the proposals before making recommendations to the Health and Safety Commission. If it approves the revised proposals, the Health and Safety Commission will then make recommendations to me.
	It is for the Health and Safety Commission to decide if and when to make recommendations to me, however I understand that it is hoped to submit the proposals to the Health and Safety Commission in the first half of next year.
	The regulations will be made under Section 1 of the Health and Safety at Work (etc.) Act 1974. Section 1 (2) gives the Health and Safety Commission remit to replace existing legislation such as the Explosives Act 1875 with regulations and Approved Code of Practice "designed to maintain or improve the standards of health, safety and welfare established by or under those attachments". I am sure that there is absolutely no question of the Health and Safety Commission making recommendations to me that were not fully in line with its remit or with its Mission Statement to ensure that risks to people's health and safety from work activities are properly controlled.

Explosives

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how the planned manufacturing and storage of explosives regulations will improve safety for (a) the general public and (b) those that handle explosives; what scientific advice he has received and how the regulations will apply to that advice; and what (a) explosives site controls and (b) explosives frequency controls the regulations will include.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Health and Safety Commission on policy on the safety of the manufacture and storage of explosives.
	The Explosives Act 1875 has been successful in securing a high level of protection both for the public and for workers employed in the manufacture and storage of explosives. However, over the years the Act has been overlaid with a large number of items of secondary legislation. The proposals are intended to further improve the safety record by: simplifying the existing legislation and making it easier for dutyholders and enforcers to understand; updating the regulatory framework to take account of changes in the industry and technology; and taking the opportunity to incorporate industry best practice.
	The major controls in the proposals are:
	a duty on anyone manufacturing or storing explosives to take appropriate measures to prevent fires and explosions, to limit the extent of fires and explosions, and to protect people in the event of a fire or explosion;
	anyone manufacturing or storing explosives must have a licence from HSE or the local authority—or be registered with the local authority;
	requirements to maintain separation distances around buildings where explosives are being manufactured or stored.
	The measures are intended to prevent explosions occurring in the first place. The separation distances requirements are intended to ensure that explosives buildings are not located in places where they would present an intolerable level of risk to members of the public.
	The proposals have been subject to extensive and very detailed consultation with employers, trade unions and local authorities as well as with the Ministry of Defence and other interested bodies such as professional associations. They were also subject to scrutiny from the HSC's Advisory Committee on Dangerous Substances.
	The proposals on separation distances take full account of extensive explosion tests conducted by the Ministry of Defence. They are the product of work by a working group that includes internationally-respected experts on explosives and risk assessment and control. The report of their work has been published by the Health and Safety Executive, copies will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Explosives

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on his policy relating to the acceptable level of danger of uncontrolled risk to the public relating to the storage and manufacture of explosives; and if he will list (a) serious injuries and (b) deaths caused by explosives in each of the last five years, broken down by (i) domestic and (ii) commercial premises.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	I am advised by the Health and Safety Commission on policy on the safety of the manufacture and storage of explosives.
	The Health and Safety Commission published a consultation document in March setting out proposals for regulations on the manufacture and storage of explosives. I expect to receive its recommendations for new regulations in the course of next year. The regulations will include requirements on those manufacturing or storing explosives to take appropriate measures to prevent explosions including revised requirements on separation distances to be maintained around explosives sites. Under no circumstances should the risks be uncontrolled.
	The revised proposals are designed to ensure that the maximum level of risk to someone living or working in the vicinity of explosives factory or store is one in a million. This level is generally accepted as the benchmark for the broadly acceptable level of risk to members of the public from industrial activities.
	HSE has not received any reports during the last five years of accidents involving either the manufacture or storage of explosives that have resulted in death or serious injury to members of the public.

Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999

Mark Prisk: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what are the annual costs to the nuclear power industry of compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	The annual costs to industry as a whole are estimated to be £1.3 million to £1.4 million in current prices. It is not possible to disaggregate the costs to the nuclear power industry.

English Heritage

Stephen Pound: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister to which Minister English Heritage is accountable in respect of London planning matters.

Tony McNulty: English Heritage is a non-departmental public body responsible for advising the Government on all aspects of the built heritage in England. It is sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport but it also works closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which is responsible for planning. It has a statutory role as consultee in certain planning and other heritage casework in Greater London and in the rest of England. This role is set out in the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995 and the joint DETR/DCMS Circular 01/2001.

Out-of-town Shopping Centres

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many planning permissions for out of town shopping centres have been granted since 7 June 2001.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Travellers (Bournemouth)

David Atkinson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many traveller (a) caravans and (b) families were on unauthorised sites within the Borough of Bournemouth in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The ODPM does not collect cumulative figures for unauthorised gipsy and traveller encampments. A biannual count of gipsy caravans camped on both authorised and unauthorised sites is carried out by local authorities each January and July. The figures are collated by the ODPM. The count gives a snapshot figure for the day the count is carried out. A copy of the statistics is placed in the Library of both Houses. Since 1997 the figures are as follows:
	Unauthorised caravans:
	January 2002—None
	July 2001—None
	January 2001—None
	July 2000—4
	January 2000—14
	July 1999—29
	January 1999—None
	July 1998—None
	January 1998—None
	July 1997—42
	January 1997—None.
	Figures for families have been kept only since 1999. A count is carried out at the same time as the count for gipsy caravans and therefore is a snapshot figure.
	Families
	January 2002—None
	July 2001—None
	January 2001—None
	July 2000—4
	January 2000—13
	July 1999—29
	January 1999—None.

Firefighters

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on his policy towards allowing firefighters to retire from the force through (a) ill health and (b) injury sustained while on active service with full pension rights; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the reviews he is undertaking of firefighters' pension arrangements.

Nick Raynsford: We have at present no proposals to change the arrangements which allow firefighters to retire from brigades with an ill-health pension and injury award when a retirement results from injury on duty.
	The Fire-fighters' Pension Scheme is kept under review and we continue to discuss amendments to the scheme with the Central Fire Brigades Advisory Council, which represents fire service interests.

Children in Care

Paul Holmes: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many girls under 18 years of age, not of UK nationality, were taken into local authority care in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001; how many remained in care for less than one week; and what nationalities they were.

Jacqui Smith: I have been asked to reply.
	Information on the nationality of looked-after children is not collected centrally.

PRIME MINISTER

Staff Training

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister how much his office has spent on staff training and development in each of the last five years.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office today.

Parliamentary Questions

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the guidance given to Ministers in respect of the criteria applied in answering written parliamentary questions.

Tony Blair: Section 1 of the Ministerial Code includes guidance to Ministers on their conduct in relation to Parliament.

Official Photographers

Tim Collins: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions during the last 12 months an official photographer has accompanied him on official visits (a) overseas and (b) within the UK; what (i) travel expenses, (ii) costs of equipment and processing, (iii) staff payment and (iv) other costs were incurred on each occasion; what publications official photographs have appeared in during the last 12 months and what terms and conditions were attached to the publication of such photographs; and whether photographs taken on official visits are available for use in non-governmental literature.

Tony Blair: None.

EU Applicant Countries

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister how many (a) EU applicant countries he has visited and (b) EU applicant Heads of Government he has met since 7 June 2001.

Tony Blair: I visited the Czech Republic on 8 April 2002. Since 7 June 2001, I have met the Heads of Governments of Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovakia and Hungary in London. I have met the Heads of Government of the EU applicant countries at all the European Councils held since 7 June 2001.

Public Appointments

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister what public appointments he has made since 7 June 2001; and if he will list the names of the persons and the organisations to which they have been appointed.

Tony Blair: Since 7 June 2001 I have made the following appointments and re-appointments to public bodies:
	
		
			 Appointee Post held and body 
		
		
			 The right hon. Lord Morris of Aberavon QC Member of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments 
			 Dr. Mike Philips Trustee of the National Heritage Memorial Fund 
			 Professor Jacqueline McGlade Trustee of the Natural History Museum 
			 Dame Rennie Fritchie Commissioner for Public Appointments 
			 The right hon. Lord Maclennan of Rogart Member, Advisory Committee on Business Appointments 
			 Professor Martin Daunton Trustee, National Maritime Museum 
			 Raymond Miles Esq. Trustee, National Maritime Museum 
			 Dr. Derek Langslow Trustee, National Heritage Memorial Fund 
			 Professor Sir Christopher White CVO Trustee, Victoria and Albert Museum 
			 David Rayner Esq. CBE Trustee, National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 Sir Angus Grossart CBE Trustee, National Heritage Memorial Fund 
			 Professor Tom Pritchard Trustee, National Heritage Memorial Fund 
			 John Baker Esq. CBE Chairman, Senior Salaries Review Body 
			 The right hon. Lord Sutherland Surveillance Commissioner 
			 Sir Charles McCullough Surveillance Commissioner 
			 The right hon. Sir Michael Hutchison Surveillance Commissioner 
			 Lord Bonomy Surveillance Commissioner 
			 The right hon. Sir John MacDermott Surveillance Commissioner 
			 Dame Bridget Ogilvie Trustee, National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire GCB DFC Trustee of the Imperial War Museum 
			 Tom Phillips Esq. RA Trustee of the National Portrait Gallery 
			 Sir John Kerr GCMG Trustee of the National Gallery 
			 Miss Judith Mayhew Trustee of the Natural History Museum 
			 Professor Roderick Smith Trustee of the National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 Sir Andrew Turnbull KCB CVO Official Head of HIM Home Civil Service 
			 William Cockburn Esq. Chair, School Teachers Review Body 
			 Ms Janet Langdon Member, School Teachers Review Body 
			 Peter Gedling Esq. Member, School Teachers Review Body 
			 Tony Vineall Esq. Member, School Teachers Review Body 
			 P. Tett Esq. Member, Prison Service Pay Review Body 
			 Sir Howard Davies Trustee, Tate Gallery 
			 Sir Ron Cooke Trustee, National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 Richard Haythornthwaite Esq. Trustee, National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 The right hon. Lord Mayhew of Twysden QC Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments 
			 Professor Sir Martin Rees Trustee, British Museum 
			 Sir John Boyd KCMG Trustee, British Museum 
			 Admiral Sir Jock Slater Chairman, Imperial War Museum 
			 Dr. David Landau Trustee, National Gallery 
			 Donald Moore, Esq. Trustee, National Gallery 
			 Professor Christopher Baines Trustee, National Maritime Museum 
			 Ian Dahl Esq. Trustee, National Maritime Museum 
			 Victor Benjamin Esq Trustee, National Maritime Museum 
			 Lord Puttnam of Queens CBE Trustee, National Museum of Science and Industry 
			 Sir Christopher Mallaby CMG CVO KCMG Trustee, Tate Gallery 
			 Julian Opie Esq. Trustee, Tate Gallery 
			 The right hon. Chris Smith MP Member, Committee on Standards in Public Life 
			 Professor Alice Brown Member, Committee on Standards in Public Life 
			 Sir Michael Perry CBE Chair, Senior Salaries Review Body 
			 Dr. Bleddyn Bryn Roberts Member, School Teachers Review Body

Countryside, Liberty and Livelihood March

Nigel Evans: To ask the Prime Minister if he will meet the Countryside, Liberty and Livelihood march on London on 22 September.

Tony Blair: I have no plans to do so.

Gibraltar

Nigel Evans: To ask the Prime Minister what visits he has made to Gibraltar since June 1997; and what the purpose of each visit was.

Tony Blair: I have not visited Gibraltar since June 1997. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited on 3 May 2002.

Falkland Islands

Nigel Evans: To ask the Prime Minister how many times in the last five years he has visited the Falkland Islands; and what plans he has to visit the islands.

Tony Blair: I have not visited the Falkland Islands in the last five years and have no plans to do so. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence visited the Falkland Islands on 11–12 March 2002.

NFU/Countryside Alliance

Nigel Evans: To ask the Prime Minister how many times he has met representatives from the (a) National Farmers Union and (b) Countryside Alliance since June 1997; and what topics were discussed.

Tony Blair: I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Hunting With Hounds

Nigel Evans: To ask the Prime Minister if he plans to meet a hunt before the end of the consultation period for the Hunting with Hounds Bill.

Tony Blair: No. My right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Rural Affairs has met a variety of people, including those involved in different forms of hunting, as part of the process he announced to the House on 21 March 2002.

Tibet

Ian Gibson: To ask the Prime Minister what discussions he had with Li Ruihuan, Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, concerning the situation in Tibet, during Chairman Li's recent visit to the UK; and what response he received.

Tony Blair: My discussions with Mr. Li Ruihuan focused on India/Pakistan and the war against terrorism. However, my noble Friend the Lord Chancellor also met Mr. Li and raised Tibet and other human rights concerns with him.

Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will rescind the authority vested in Alastair Campbell and Jonathan Powell to give instructions to civil servants.

Tony Blair: No.

Cabinet Committees

John Cryer: To ask the Prime Minister what changes are planned to the membership of each Cabinet Committee.

Tony Blair: I have revised the composition of Cabinet Committees in the light of the recent machinery of government changes. I have also established three new committees: a sub-committee, CJS (IT) on information technology in the criminal justice system; MISC20 on social and economic aspects of migration; and MISC21 on the Government's response to parliamentary modernisation. MISC16, having fulfilled its specific remit to review the practice on tackling illegal working and policy on managed migration, has been wound up. These issues will now be taken forward by MISC20. The full list of committees, their terms of reference and their membership has been placed in the Library of the House and will shortly be available on the Cabinet Office website (www.cabinet-office.gov.uk).

HEALTH

Joint Triage Protocols

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to develop joint triage protocols between NHS Direct and GP out-of-hours co-operatives.

David Lammy: NHS Direct uses an extensive database of triage protocols designed to cover the wide range of presenting conditions of callers. They are designed to assess the acuity of patient condition and may result in referral to a range of providers including care at home, pharmacist, general practitioner (in or out of hours) and accident and emergency.
	NHS Direct has full clinical control over their protocols and involves a wide range of health care professionals including many with experience of out of hours primary care, in their development.

NHS Annual Reports

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much NHS annual reports cost to produce and deliver in (a) Gloucestershire and (b) England in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: holding answer 8 May 2002
	The Department does not collect centrally data on production and distribution costs for annual reports produced by national health service bodies.
	The Department published 'NHS Plan-A Progress Report for 2000–01' by the Modernisation Board in January 2002. I refer the hon. Member to the response given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State to the hon. Member for Romsey (Sandra Gidley) on 9 May 2002, Official Report, column 354W.

Brain Injury

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects people with brain injury to benefit from the vocational services framework provisions.

Jacqui Smith: The Department of Health, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Health and Safety Executive together with the Department for Education and Skills are working together to prevent people from becoming ill or injured as a result of work and to reduce workplace absence due to sickness whatever the cause.
	One of the aims is to ensure the development of rehabilitative initiatives to increase the prosperity of currently inactive people by facilitating, wherever practicable, an early return to their existing job or alternative work. We are exploring the possibility of building on existing good practice through the auspices of NHS Plus.

NCSC/CHI Merger

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement setting out the timetable for the merger of the National Care Standards Commission and the Commission for Health Improvement.

Jacqui Smith: Primary legislation will be required to establish the functions of the Commission for Healthcare Audit and Inspection which will bring together the work of the Commission for Heath Improvement, the independent healthcare functions of the National Care Standards Commission and the health value for money work of the Audit Commission.
	We hope to introduce legislation as soon as possible.

Cervical Screening

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 167W, how (a) his Department and (b) the local primary care trust is measuring the success of attempts to increase uptake of cervical screening among Asian women.

Hazel Blears: The coverage of the cervical screening programme is assessed as the proportion of women resident in a health authority who have had a screening result at least once in the last five years. Coverage has always been used as an indicator of quality in the cervical screening programme, as well as highlighting inequalities. Coverage rates for cervical screening are not collected by ethnic group nationally.
	The new informed choice leaflet, "Cervical Screening: The Facts", which is sent out with every invitation for screening nationally, has been translated into Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali and Hindi.
	The NHS Cancer Plan required all primary care organisations to review their screening coverage rates and draw up plans to improve accessibility of screening for women in socially excluded and minority ethnic groups.
	Luton Primary Care Trust continues to monitor the uptake of cervical screening among Asian women through working with local general practices to promote cervical screening and from statistics collected from the local sexual health clinics.

MMR Vaccine

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to record nursery children having a single (a) measles, (b) mumps and (c) rubella vaccination.

Hazel Blears: Information on immunisation status of children at nursery school is not routinely collected.

Care Direct

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information is provided on the Care Direct schemes in rural areas; and if he will make it available.

Jacqui Smith: As announced in February last year, Care Direct is being piloted in six local authorities in the south-west of England—Bournemouth, Bristol, Devon, Gloucestershire, Plymouth and Somerset. The second phase of pilots, starting in the autumn this year, will cover the remaining local authorities in the south-west.
	The director of social services in Cornwall is leading the implementation of Care Direct for the county council. Implementation plans are now being developed to meet the needs of older people living in Cornwall. These will supplement and build on the existing services for older people in the county and I am certain that the new service will be especially responsive to the needs of the rural community that it will serve.
	Local information about Care Direct in Cornwall will be made available nearer the time when the service becomes operational, but wider publicity about the service can be found now on the Care Direct website www.caredirect.gov.uk.

Schizophrenia

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects NICE to publish guidance relating to atypical antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia.

David Lammy: holding answer 16 May 2002
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued its guidance on the use of newer (atypical) antipsychotic drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia on 6 June 2002.

Osteoporosis

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of orthopaedic beds were taken up with osteoporotic hip fracture patients in (a) Hull and the East Riding and (b) England and Wales, in the last two quarters for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the number of orthopaedic beds is not collected. Information on the average daily number of beds by broad ward classification is published annually for each national health service trust on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/ hospitalactivity. The latest available data are for 2000–01.

Carers Groups

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to mitigate the financial penalties on Carers Groups caused by the abolition of local inspection units.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 23 May 2002
	I believe this question concerns the impact on domiciliary care providers of the new regulatory arrangements under the Care Standards Act which require them to register with the National Care Standards Commission from 1 April 2002, and pay a registration fee.
	Our policy is to set fees to recover the full cost of regulating and inspecting service providers. We decided, however, that full cost recovery should be phased in over five years, in order to allow providers to adjust to the new fee regime and to avoid destabilising the care sector.
	We consulted extensively on the fee structure before finalising it. The fee levels for each service have been determined according to the total costs for that service and in all cases have been set at a level lower than full cost recovery for that service. Thus in the first year of regulation by the Commission domiciliary care providers will only pay 24 per cent. of the actual cost of registration and inspection. In addition, we have agreed to make a concession to small agencies and set the annual fee at 50 per cent. of the level for other agencies. A small agency is defined in the regulations as one where no more than two members of staff, including registered persons but excluding someone employed solely as a receptionist, are employed at any one time.

Cosmetic Treatment

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by his Department on the relative effectiveness of (a) Dysport and (b) Botox for cosmetic treatment.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 May 2002
	The Department has not made any assessment of the relative effectiveness of Dysport and Botox for cosmetic treatments.

Care Provision

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) intermediate care beds and (b) registered care homes there were in (i) London and (ii) Kingston borough in (A) 1997 and (B) 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: There are no intermediate care figures for 1997. This is a new service and a new data collection. The only figures available are for May 2002 . There are 92 intermediate care beds in total in Kingston. 55 beds at Tolworth hospital, 29 at Surbiton hospital and eight beds at Hobrick house residential home. The total number of London beds for 2001–02 was 939. Kingston has an above average number of beds for their population compared to other London boroughs.
	Previous data had been collected at health authority level.
	The table shows the number of registered residential and nursing care homes, private hospitals and clinics in Kingston and London area in 1997 and 2001.
	
		Registered residential(26) and nursing(27) care homes in Kingston and London areas in 1997 and 2001 -- Number
		
			  1997 2001  
			 At 31 March Kingston London Kingston London 
		
		
			 Residential care homes 67 2,213 63 2,239 
			 of which: 
			 Local authority staffed homes 5 299 5 241 
			 Independent homes 62 1,914 58 1998 
			 Dual registered homes 4 44 2 86 
			 Nursing homes(28),(29) 19 406 20 462 
			 of which: 
			 General and mental nursing homes 17 330 16 347 
			 Private nursing homes and clinics 2 76 4 115 
			 Total care homes 90 2,663 85 2,787 
		
	
	(26) Homes registered within Kingston-upon-Thames local authority, exclude children homes.
	(27) Homes registered within Kingston and Richmond health authority.
	(28) Registered general and mental nursing homes, private hospitals and clinics.
	(29) Figures for registered nursing homes relates to the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997.
	Source:
	Department of Health's annual returns.
	Good progress is being made towards meeting the NHS Plan target of 5,000 additional intermediate care beds by 2003–04. The target of 1,500 additional intermediate care beds by March 2002 has been met comfortably and as a result London has benefited from more intermediate care beds. A proportion of these additional beds will be in independent care homes.
	Intermediate care is not a single service model—it is a range of services that can be provided in a range of settings to meet the individual needs of service users and their carers—the key is the principle of patient centred care and the assessment process that underpins it. The appropriate settings can include designated rehabilitation facilities, nursing and residential homes, sheltered housing, a range of community based options and, of course, people's own homes.

Cardiac Care

Alan Hurst: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for heart bypass operations for patients from Essex hospitals was in each year since 1995.

David Lammy: Essex residents are treated mainly at two specialist out of county hospitals; St. Bartholomews and The London National Health Service Trust, and Papworth Hospital National Health Service Trust.
	Annual figures are not available.
	Over the last three years for St. Bartholomews and The London NHS Trust the latest available average waiting time information for these operations is 6.62 months
	Over the last two years for Papworth hospital NHS trust the latest available average waiting time information for these operations is 4.48 months.
	Source:
	Essex Health Authority Monthly Performance Returns

Mental Health

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the difference is between (a) earmarking and (b) ringfencing in the context of the additional revenue and capital allocated to mental health services in 2002–03 to ensure that the funding reaches front line services in (a) England and (b) North Yorkshire.

Jacqui Smith: The additional £75 million allocated to health authorities in 2002–03 was earmarked for mental health. These are funds that are identified at health authority level with the intention that they be spent on the purpose for which they were allocated. This allows national health service organisations maximum flexibility to use the resources available to meet national and local needs.
	The Secretary of State has a power under section 97(6) of the NHS Act 1977 to ring fence sums so that they can only be issued for the purpose for which they are issued. This power is used very sparingly.
	The earmarked allocation is being monitored though to investment via the service and financial framework negotiations and reports. Department officials are working with front line NHS organisations to ensure sufficient emphasis and investment has gone into the NHS Plan commitments to ensure progress ready for the 2004 target dates.

Mental Health

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the role of ward hostesses is in mental health trusts.

Jacqui Smith: The exact role of a ward hostess would be for local determination. However, in general terms the role would focus around meeting the needs of patients' food and drink requirements. The hostess should be integrated as a member of the ward team.

NHS Dentistry

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been made available to the Morecambe and Lunesdale constituency for NHS dental provision.

Jacqui Smith: Information on funding of national health service dental provision is not available on a constituency basis.
	The gross fees paid to general dental practitioners (GDP) within the old Morecambe bay health authority area, for providing NHS dental treatment, were £9.28 million in 2001–02. Additional sums are paid to GDPs, for example to reimburse business rates. Funding for hospital and community dental services is drawn from the health authority's main allocation. This information is not identified separately.
	In 2001–02 the following additional funds were made available to Morecambe bay health authority to improve NHS dental services:
	£308,000 revenue and £312,000 capital to establish a personal dental services dental access centre pilot scheme (DAC). The DAC has surgeries in Barrow and in Lancaster, to offer unregistered patients access to dental services. The revenue funding available for the current year for this DAC is up to £820,000 and a further capital payment will be made of around £160,000. The service aim is to treat up to 17,000 patients a year when both centres are fully operational.
	An allocation of £270,800 was made in 2001–02 to GDPs from the modernisation fund for grants to local dental practices to provide practice improvements and additional facilities.
	£7,500 was allocated to the health authority from the dental action plan fund to enable additional patient registrations to be secured.

Performance Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what has been the (a) cost and (b) saving from the pursuit of the Department's Public Service Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced;
	(2)  what the (a) cost and (b) saving has been from the Department's pursuit of Service Delivery Agreement targets in each year since they were introduced.

David Lammy: The Department's public service agreement set outs the key outcomes it is committed to deliver with the resources provided, and its service delivery agreement sets out the key steps towards delivery of those targets. Every year the Department publishes performance against its targets—including on value for money and the resources it has used, in its departmental report.

Action Zone (Tyne and Wear)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many homes in Tyne and Wear have been insulated as a result of the Health Action Zone campaign there.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 10 June 2002, Official Report, column 1087W.

Ward Housekeepers

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the job description of a ward housekeeper.

David Lammy: The main elements of the role are ensuring the delivery of cleaning, catering, and minor maintenance, together with other specified tasks to meet individual patient needs as determined by the ward sister/charge nurse. A full job description is available in a document published by NHS Estates—'A First Guide to New Modern and Dependable Ward Housekeeping Services in the NHS'—published in November 2001.

Youth Treatment Centres

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the definition is of a youth treatment centre; what conditions they treat; where they are located; and how many children are treated in each.

Jacqui Smith: Two youth treatment centres were opened in the 1970s to provide long-term care and treatment for a small minority of severely disturbed and antisocial children whose specialist treatment needs could not be satisfactorily met by the forms of residential provision that existed at that time. The first centre, based in Brentwood in Essex, closed in 1995 and the second based in Birmingham in the Midlands closed in 2000. The children and young people that may have been considered for placement with youth treatment centres are now cared for in local authority provision or placed by the youth justice board as appropriate to their needs.

School Fruit

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 624W, on school fruit, which varieties of fruit are distributed as part of the national school fruit scheme; and from which countries each fruit is imported.

Jacqui Smith: Apples, pears, bananas and easy peel citrus are supplied as part of the national school fruit scheme. The contracted suppliers and distributors of fruit to the scheme have reported the following countries of origin for the four fruit types:
	Apples: UK, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Chile and the USA
	Pears: UK, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa and Chile
	Easy peel citrus: Spain, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay
	Bananas: Cameroon, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guadaloupe, Martinique, Surinam and Windward Isles.

Health Care Professionals

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances he plans to demand patient information from health care professionals.

David Lammy: I have no plans to demand patient information from health care professionals. While the Health Service (Control of Patient Information) Regulations 2002 permit me to introduce a requirement for patient information to be disclosed in support of work on cancer or communicable disease surveillance, I will only do so if so advised by the independent patient information advisory group. In the absence of such a requirement, the regulations are permissive rather than prescriptive, allowing but not requiring information to be disclosed.

Hearing Aids

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to monitor whether (a) primary care trusts and (b) health authorities are making funding available to provide the best quality hearing aids to all patients.

Jacqui Smith: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) issued guidance on hearing aid technology in July 2000. Directions have been issued obliging health authorities and primary care trusts to provide appropriate funding so that clinical decisions made by doctors involving NICE recommended treatments or drugs can be funded.
	We expect all health authorities and primary care trusts to meet their statutory obligations to provide appropriate funding for treatments recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence. The new strategic health authorities will manage the performance of their constituent national health service bodies in meeting these commitments.

Abortions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list by health authority in England and Wales the percentage of NHS-funded abortions occurring within 10 weeks gestation of pregnancy in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is set out as follows.
	
		Abortions in England and Wales 1997–2001 performed under 10 weeks gestation, percentage NHS funded
		
			   Year of termination  
			 Health authority of residence (2001 boundaries) 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001(30) 
		
		
			 England  
			 Avon 64 63 64 60 53 
			 Barking and Havering 44 49 42 50 71 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey 47 55 58 51 47 
			 Barnsley 58 70 63 69 72 
			 Bedfordshire 48 44 48 51 53 
			 Berkshire 78 80 78 75 78 
			 Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich 49 58 51 57 62 
			 Birmingham 59 56 62 66 67 
			 Bradford 73 70 67 68 65 
			 Brent and Harrow 75 77 74 73 75 
			 Buckinghamshire 64 63 66 67 72 
			 Bury and Rochdale 53 56 49 63 65 
			 Calderdale and Kirklees 79 77 75 77 76 
			 Cambridgeshire 82 82 82 84 81 
			 Camden and Islington 51 55 55 57 55 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly 64 82 86 87 76 
			 County Durham 93 89 88 88 88 
			 Coventry 92 95 87 92 96 
			 Croydon 75 75 53 53 68 
			 Doncaster 84 81 83 83 85 
			 Dorset 42 44 41 46 45 
			 Dudley 54 53 53 50 65 
			 Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow 49 40 40 43 40 
			 East Kent 64 65 67 72 80 
			 East Lancashire 84 81 84 88 86 
			 East London and The City 39 39 43 43 33 
			 East Riding 88 88 89 90 89 
			 East Surrey 49 51 60 58 70 
			 East Sussex, Brighton and Hove 47 43 54 52 54 
			 Gateshead and South Tyneside 92 91 92 87 88 
			 Gloucestershire 82 77 79 79 83 
			 Herefordshire 87 84 88 91 87 
			 Hertfordshire 52 61 59 61 63 
			 Hillingdon 47 55 59 55 62 
			 Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and SE Hants 82 82 85 86 82 
			 Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster 51 56 53 54 54 
			 Kingston and Richmond 44 43 40 39 38 
			 Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham 40 58 59 58 51 
			 Leeds 75 64 59 72 70 
			 Leicestershire 77 81 83 83 79 
			 Lincolnshire 85 84 88 89 89 
			 Liverpool 82 74 71 68 60 
			 Manchester 55 57 71 82 86 
			 Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth 54 52 49 48 44 
			 Morecambe Bay 86 87 76 82 77 
			 Newcastle and North Tyneside 92 92 94 93 95 
			 Norfolk 91 92 90 90 90 
			 North and East Devon 94 94 94 94 95 
			 North and Mid Hampshire 40 42 42 54 64 
			 North Cheshire 79 76 75 73 79 
			 North Cumbria 97 98 98 97 96 
			 North Derbyshire 84 86 86 88 90 
			 North Essex 50 57 53 52 52 
			 North Nottinghamshire 77 82 83 84 84 
			 North Staffordshire 62 71 68 64 63 
			 North West Lancashire 39 48 48 60 73 
			 North Yorkshire 79 72 72 71 71 
			 Northamptonshire 66 68 64 63 62 
			 Northumberland 97 96 94 95 95 
			 Nottingham 69 79 84 80 78 
			 Oxfordshire 89 88 84 82 79 
			 Redbridge and Waltham Forest 31 45 30 26 37 
			 Rotherham 76 69 74 77 78 
			 Salford and Trafford 47 46 59 66 71 
			 Sandwell 73 70 68 70 79 
			 Sefton 78 71 67 64 75 
			 Sheffield 81 77 78 82 86 
			 Shropshire 61 68 72 75 78 
			 Solihull 29 27 29 48 55 
			 Somerset 91 86 85 82 81 
			 South and West Devon 89 87 95 96 92 
			 South Cheshire 74 70 66 68 74 
			 South Essex 61 64 62 64 68 
			 South Humber 89 92 93 93 91 
			 South Lancashire 52 47 53 57 67 
			 South Staffordshire 57 64 68 75 78 
			 Southampton and South West Hampshire 75 71 76 76 77 
			 Southern Derbyshire 76 81 86 76 78 
			 St. Helens and Knowsley 74 71 68 65 63 
			 Stockport 64 59 63 63 73 
			 Suffolk 87 86 87 88 85 
			 Sunderland 95 88 87 88 88 
			 Tees 97 95 94 96 96 
			 Wakefield 63 50 51 63 71 
			 Walsall 51 45 46 48 48 
			 Warwickshire 90 85 81 87 88 
			 West Kent 59 75 76 73 77 
			 West Pennine 62 58 52 73 81 
			 West Surrey 64 64 68 66 70 
			 West Sussex 38 42 47 50 55 
			 Wigan and Bolton 60 58 62 68 73 
			 Wiltshire 51 55 55 59 69 
			 Wirral 84 66 75 73 83 
			 Wolverhampton 44 38 38 58 67 
			 Wales  
			 Bro Taf 61 56 66 73 70 
			 Dyfed Powys 90 92 90 89 90 
			 Gwent 93 92 90 86 88 
			 Morgannwg 93 94 92 91 89 
			 North Wales 83 82 82 81 84 
		
	
	(30) Provisional

Care Homes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he is planning to issue guidance on standard 27.3 of Care Homes for Older People National Minimum Standards to (a) set out the ratios of care staff to service users and (b) provide a system for calculating staff numbers required.

Jacqui Smith: The Department commissioned the residential forum to produce the guidance. This was published on 27 March. On the same day I issued statutory guidance to the National Care Standards Commission, under Section 6 of the Care Standards Act. The guidance sets out how the Commission should apply the regulations and standards in relation to staffing levels in care homes, to ensure that the approach to staffing levels is not rigid and that it avoids placing additional burdens on care homes.
	Copies of the Residential Forum's guidance are available from:
	Social Care Association (Education)
	Thornton House
	Hook Road
	Surbiton
	Surrey KT6 5AN
	Tel 020 8397 1419.
	My guidance to the Commission on applying the Residential Forum's guidance is available on the Department's internet website at: www.doh.gov.uk/ncsc.

Care Homes

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what 
	(1)  assessment his Department has made of the impact the new care standards proposals will have on the level of care home fees;
	(2)  what action his Department is taking to deal with the ongoing disputes between care homes and local councils over the level of fees; and what assessment he has made of the impact of disputes between care homes and local councils on bed blocking in hospitals;
	(3)  if he will increase the level of funding to local councils in England for fees for care homes;
	(4)  if he will introduce an arbitration system for dealing with disputes over the level of fees for care homes.

Jacqui Smith: The Government is providing records levels of funding for social services. Resources have increased nationally by 20 per cent. in real terms between 1996–97 and 2002–03, an average real terms increase of 3 per cent. per annum. In addition, as announced on 17 April, we are increasing the resources for personal social services by an annual average of 6 per cent. in real terms from 2003–04 to 2005–06. Councils have been incentivised to use some of their 6 per cent. annual increases to stabilise the care home market and fund home care services for older people.
	Included within these additional funds are resources provided to meet the cost care homes incur in meeting the care standards. We expect local authorities to reflect this in the fees they pay homes, as laid out in the "Building Capacity and Partnership in Care" agreement. The Department will continue to review the progress that is being made in the implementing of the agreement.
	The setting of fee levels are a matter for local decision and we have no plans to intervene in local negotiations.

Care Home Fees

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of local authorities who are not making up the shortfall between preserved rights income and care home fees at the point of change; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We have issued guidance to local authorities on how to implement the abolition of preserved rights. When negotiating fees, councils should take account of the additional resources they are receiving to meet any shortfall between the old income support rates and the cost of care.

Lynde House Care Home

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will place a copy of the report into Lynde House care home in Twickenham carried out by Mary McClaren in the Library.

Jacqui Smith: No. The report into Lynde House Nursing Home was commissioned independently by Kingston and Richmond health authority, which regulated Lynde House under the Registered Homes Act 1984, and is not the responsibility of the Department. Under the Health Authorities (Establishment and Abolition) (England) Order 2002, responsibility for the findings of the report will fall to Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust and the South West London health authority, which replaced Kingston and Richmond health authority on 1 April 2002.
	The National Care Standards Commission took over responsibility for the regulation of all care homes in England on 1 April 2002. The Commission will, of course, bear in mind the findings of the report and any other relevant information when inspecting the care home in future.

Carers' Special Grant

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much carers' special grant has been allocated to (a) Barnsley and (b) Doncaster in each of the last four years.

David Lammy: The table shows how much carers' grant has been allocated to Barnsley and Doncaster in each of the last four years.
	
		Carers' grant -- £000
		
			   Metropolitan borough council  
			  Barnsley Doncaster 
		
		
			 1999–2000 96 113 
			 2000–01 234 281 
			 2001–02 325 390 
			 2002–03 396 475

Chiropody

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Warrington, North (Helen Jones) 24 May 2002, Official Report, column 691W, on chiropody, for what reason the Government have decided not to publish Feet First II;
	(2)  if he will place the outcomes of the review of chiropody services, Feet First II, in the Library.

Jacqui Smith: We currently have no plans to publish the review of "Feet First", nor to place a copy in the Library. Since the review was undertaken the focus on policy has shifted from professionally-led guidance to patient-led services. We want to ensure national health service organisations like the new primary care trusts make decisions on services based on their local populations' clinical needs. To help them make these decisions, and to ensure clinical input, chiropodists have been involved in the development of national service frameworks (NSF) for older people and diabetes. The NSF for older people, which was published in March 2001, sets performance measures for accessing chiropody/podiatry services.

Children in Care

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many, and what percentage of children who left (a) a residential care home and (b) foster parents at the age of 16 years were not in education, employment and training at any one time between the ages of 16 to 18 years in the last five years for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: At present, the Department does not hold statistics that would allow us to answer this question. Since the introduction of the quality protects programme, individual local authorities should be compiling their own data about the progress of young people who they were looking after on the sixteenth birthday from August 1998, so that they have information about the education and employment outcomes of young people who have been in their care.
	The Children (Leaving Care) Act was commenced in October 2001. As part of the arrangements for monitoring the Act, local authorities are now required to submit details to the Department about the education, training and employment of 19-year-old care leavers, who had been looked after in their seventeenth year. The first set of data from this sample will be published in autumn 2002. It would then be possible to match this data with other information about young people's last placement prior to leaving care, to research whether for this cohort of young people there are significant correlations between placement type and education and employment outcomes.

Children in Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 151W, on children in care, if he will provide such information as the Department has on the numbers of (a) mentally and (b) physically disabled children in care.

Jacqui Smith: The Department carried out a children in need census in February 2000 which showed that in a typical week, there were about 29,000 children who were receiving services and were regarded as disabled, of whom 8,000 were children looked after. This report can be found on the children in need home page of internet at www.doh.gov.uk/cin/ cin/2000.htm (paragraphs 30–32 refer).
	These figures were considered too unreliable to publish at local authority level, because of confusion in some authorities as to whether to include all disabled children or only those who need services by virtue of their disability or disabilities. No further breakdown is made in relation to children who are mentally disabled and/or physically disabled.

Children in Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 151W, on children in care, which survey the information regarding the number of children in care births came from.

Jacqui Smith: The results of the survey, funded by the Department, were published in 1992 by the national children's bureau under the title "Prepared for living? A survey of young people leaving the care of three local authorities" (authors: N. Biehal et al.). The publication is available in the Library.

Gunshot Wounds

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if there is a requirement upon hospital staff to notify police when persons are admitted with gunshot wounds.

David Lammy: holding answer 13 June 2002
	Hospital staff are not required to notify the police when persons are admitted with gunshot wounds. Health care professionals are guided by their professional codes of conduct regarding patient confidentiality and the disclosure of information outside the clinical team.

Epilepsy

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS care for (a) adults and (b) children who suffer from epilepsy; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the Government's response has been to the National Sentinel Audit of Epilepsy Related Death; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We have recently welcomed the publication of the Government funded National Sentinel Audit of Epilepsy-Related Death. The audit looked at investigations into epilepsy deaths, care provided prior to death and contact with bereaved families. We have given a commitment to consider the recommendations of the audit and develop an action plan by September 2002 to try to improve epilepsy services and reduce the number of preventable deaths from epilepsy.
	We recognise that people with epilepsy can sometimes experience difficulty in receiving appropriate services and adequate treatment for their condition. We are undertaking a range of initiatives to improve services for the care and management of people with epilepsy. For example, we have:
	Provided funding to the Joint Epilepsy Council (JEC) to develop a "national statement of good practice for the treatment and care of people who have epilepsy", which was published in May 2002. The statement makes a series of recommendations for good quality epilepsy services. It is intended to facilitate commissioning and will be of use to national health service purchasers, providers and service users.
	Asked the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop a clinical guideline (due in summer 2004) for the diagnosis, management and treatment of epilepsy to help address widespread variations in clinical practice and contribute to the improvement of services. This will be supported by a technology appraisal (due autumn 2003) of the clinical and cost effectiveness of new anti-epileptic drugs in children and adults, to help promote appropriate uptake and equitable access.
	Announced that the national service framework for long-term conditions (NSF) is expected to develop standards of care for specific neurological conditions, including epilepsy. The NSF is expected to be published in 2004. Implementation is expected to start from 2005.
	Developed the expert patients programme, which aims to provide training in self-management skills for people with long-term chronic conditions. The first pilot phase will include people with epilepsy.
	Provided funding to the National Society for Epilepsy for its living well project. The project aims to promote independent living by providing locally based short-term courses for people with epilepsy to develop self-help and self-management techniques.

Dentists

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have ceased to perform NHS work since 1 May 1997; and what the net effect of this has been on the NHS budget.

David Lammy: The available information is for the number of dentists leaving the general dental service (GDS) in England and is shown in the table for the years 1997–98 to 2001–02.
	The number of leavers covers all reasons for leaving the GDS including final retirement from dental work and dentists taking career breaks as well as those who left to practice solely privately. Figures from 1998–99 onwards are inflated by the transfer of some dentists from the GDS to some personal dental service (PDS) pilots. The total number of dentists includes principals on a health authority list, assistants and vocational dental practitioners.
	The effect on the national health service budget of those dentists leaving the GDS cannot be estimated because the dentists left for a variety of reasons.
	Since 1997–98 more dentists have joined than left. The number of GDS dentists has increased from 16,387 at March 1997 to 18,254 in March 2002, an increase of 1,867. Dentists are able to vary the amount of work they do in the GDS.
	
		General dental service (GDS): number of dentists who left the GDS from 1997–98 to 2001–02 -- England
		
			   Principals Assistants Vocational trainees Total 
		
		
			 1997–98 738 85 77 900 
			 1998–99(31) 761 106 105 972 
			 1999–2000(31) 780 157 95 1,032 
			 2000–01(31) 875 181 136 1,192 
			 2001–02(31) 859 193 164 1.216 
		
	
	(31) Figures affected by the transfer of some dentists from the GDS to the PDS.

Dentists

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) children and (b) adults are registered with an NHS dentist within Leicestershire health authority; and what percentage of people covered by Leicestershire health authority are registered with an NHS dentist.

David Lammy: Arrangements are now in place to ensure that patients can gain access to national health service services by calling NHS Direct. This means that even if a patient chooses not to register with a dentist it will still be possible for that patient to access all forms of dentistry that are provided by the NHS.
	The number of children and adults registered with a general dental service (GDS) dentist and the percentage of population registered with a GDS dentist in Leicestershire is shown in the table at 30 April 2002.
	
		General dental service: number of patients registered and percentage of population(32) registered with a GDS dentist in 2002 -- Leicestershire(33)
		
			 At 30 April 2002 Number of patients registered thousands Population registered percentage 
		
		
			 Total 458.4 49 
			 Adults 321.5 45 
			 Children 136.9 63 
		
	
	(32) ONS 2000 mid year population estimates based on the 1991 census.
	(33) From 1 April 2002, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland health authority has assumed responsibilities for the previous Leicestershire health authority.

Nursing Care Payments

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were eligible for nursing care payments of (a) £35, (b) £70 and (c) £105 in each primary care trust; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 975W.

Hospital Pharmacies

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to allow hospital pharmacies to fulfil prescriptions from GPs.

David Lammy: Hospital pharmacies could be providers of local pharmaceutical services under pilot schemes to be set up under the Health and Social Care Act 2001 and, as such, would be able to dispense prescriptions written by general practitioners.

National Care Standards Commission

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will instruct the National Care Standards Commission not to inspect premises for adherence standards which are the responsibility of other agencies;
	(2)  if he will list those National Care Standards which are duplicated in the rules of other agencies;
	(3)  for what reason local authorities remain the enforcing bodies for health and safety in care homes following the creation of the National Care Standards Commission.

Jacqui Smith: The national minimum standards do not duplicate the rules of other agencies although they may refer to them for completeness. The national standards are designed to ensure care provision is fit for the purpose and meets the assessed needs of residents. It is for the National Care Standards Commission to decide in the particular circumstances of each individual home whether the home conforms to the standards necessary to meet the assessed needs of its residents.
	The commission must take national standards into account when making a decision as to whether an establishment complies with statutory requirements under the Care Standards Act. However, providers and their representative organisations urged that the commission should be allowed to take a range of other factors into account and the commission may also take into account any other factors it considers reasonable or relevant to do so. For example, compliance with other statutory requirements, as assessed by the relevant regulatory body.
	With the exception of environmental health issues, the responsibility for enforcement of health and safety requirements in care homes, as with all other establishments, rests with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There is a degree of overlap in some areas between health and safety requirements and national standards but these are complementary rather than two organisations covering the same angle. The commission is currently working with the HSE and Local Government Association to develop a memorandum of understanding to clarify each other's roles and responsibilities in health and safety matters. The memorandum will be underpinned by locally agreed protocols. This will aid clarity in liaison with other bodies should adverse incidents arise and ensure protection of vulnerable people in care.

Cosmetic Prosthesis Services

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the development of a national programme of cosmetic prosthesis services.

Jacqui Smith: We have no plans to develop a national programme of cosmetic prosthesis services. The national health service already provides silicone cosmesis coverings for prosthetic limbs free of charge to prosthetic limb users. We have made funding available for these coverings totalling £4 million for three years from April 2001 and the full range of prosthetic limb components is now available from disablement service centres.

Hospital Discharges

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 168W, on hospital discharges, in which paragraph and page number in the NHS Plan the target to reduce the number of delayed discharges from hospital by 20 per cent. between March 2002 and March 2003 is set out;
	(2)  whether his target to reduce delayed discharge by 20 per cent. in the period March 2002 to March 2003 is for (a) the number of people that experience delayed discharge and (b) the number of bed days that a person is kept in hospital awaiting discharge.

Jacqui Smith: The NHS Plan target to reduce the total number of people that experience delayed discharge is in paragraph 12.9 on page 102 and states that we will end widespread bed blocking by 2004. The target to reduce the number of people that experience delayed discharges from hospital by 20 per cent. between March 2002 and March 2003 was set for the national health service as a milestone to progress to this overall target. This is expected to also reduce the number of bed days that people are kept in hospital awaiting discharge.

Long-term Care Beds

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 167W, on long-term care beds, how much in cash terms the 6 per cent. in real terms increase in personal social services will be in each of the next three years.

Jacqui Smith: The increases in personal social services resources over the next three years which were announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 17 April 2002 are in cash terms 10.3 per cent. for 2003–04, 6.9 per cent. for 2004–05 and 8.8 per cent. for 2005–06, an average annual increase of 8.7 per cent.

Long-term Health

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 17 June 2002, Official Report, column 167W, regarding long-term health, what generic issues relevant to people with long-term conditions will be set out as part of the NSF for long-term health conditions.

Jacqui Smith: Following the recent announcement of the scope of the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions, we expect to appoint an external reference group (ERG) by the autumn. The ERG will undertake detailed work on developing the NSF and give consideration to the specific conditions and generic issues to be included. Some examples of the generic issues that the ERG could consider include patient and carer involvement, information, rehabilitation, pain management, and care and support in the home.

Headache Disorders

Gillian Merron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to include primary headache disorders in the national service framework for long-term medical conditions.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has recently confirmed that the national service framework (NSF) for long-term conditions will focus on developing standards of care for specific neurological conditions and some of the generic issues relevant to people with a long-term condition.
	An external reference group (ERG) is expected to be appointed by the autumn. The ERG will undertake detailed work on developing the NSF and will consider the specific conditions to be included. We will draw the ERG's attention to the submissions we have received from Headache UK on headache and migraine.

Local Government Funding (Harrow)

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received about the social services element of Harrow council's local government settlement.

Jacqui Smith: There is frequent contact between the Department and Harrow council on various issues including the social services element of Harrow's local government finance settlement.

Carers

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will ensure that carers are included in risk assessments relating to professional care providing teams with equivalent health and safety needs; and what recent research he has conducted into the health and safety needs of carers, with special reference to training needs.

Jacqui Smith: The national strategy for carers, "Caring about Carers", gave advice to social services departments and to the national health service on promoting carers health and safety, including the need for training, and quoted studies about the effect of caring on people's health and safety. The Department also commissioned a report, recently published, from the Office for National Statistics on the "Mental Health of Carers". Earlier this year the Health and Safety Executive published guidance on manual handling, "Handling Home Care", which highlights issues for service providers and their care staff and for service users and their families.
	The duties of undertakings, in respect of the health and safety of persons not in their employment, are laid down in section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (SI(99)3242).